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Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Immediate Ceasefire After Weeks of Deadly Border Clashes

Staff December 27, 2025

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following nearly three weeks of intense border clashes that resulted in dozens of deaths and displaced nearly one million people. The ceasefire, brokered with diplomatic support from China and the US, aims to stabilize the front lines and allow civilians to return home.

Featured image for: Thailand and Cambodia agree ceasefire after weeks of deadly clashes Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, the defence ministers of both countries have said in a joint statement. The two sides have agreed to freeze the front lines where they are now and allow civilians living in border areas to return home, halting almost three weeks of intense clashes in which dozens of people have been killed and nearly one million displaced. The ceasefire took effect at noon local time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday. Once it has been in place for 72 hours, 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand since July will be released, the statement said. The breakthrough came after days of talks between the two countries, with diplomatic encouragement from China and the US. The agreement prioritises getting the displaced back to their homes, and also includes an agreement to remove landmines. Thailand's Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit described the ceasefire as a test for the "other party's sincerity". "Should the ceasefire fail to materialise or be violated, Thailand retains its legitimate right to self-defence under international law," he told reporters. Thailand had been reluctant to accept the ceasefire, saying the last one was not properly implemented. They also resented what they saw as Cambodia's efforts to internationalise the conflict. Unlike the last ceasefire in July, US President Donald Trump was conspicuously absent from this one, although the US State Department was involved. That ceasefire agreement collapsed earlier this month, when fresh clashes erupted. Both sides blamed each other for the breakdown of the truce. The Thai army said its troops had responded to Cambodian fire in Thailand's Si Sa Ket province, in which two Thai soldiers were injured. Cambodia's defence ministry said it was Thai forces that had attacked first, in Preah Vihear province, and insisted that Cambodia did not retaliate. Clashes have continued throughout December. On Friday, Thailand carried out more air strikes inside Cambodia. The Thai Air Force said it had hit a Cambodian "fortified military position" after civilians had left the area. Cambodia's defence ministry said the strikes were "indiscriminate attacks" against civilian houses. How well the ceasefire holds this time depends to a large extent on political will. Nationalist sentiment has been inflamed in both countries. Cambodia, in particular, has lost many soldiers and a lot of its military equipment. It has been driven back from positions it held on the border, and suffered extensive damage from the Thai air strikes, grievances which could make a lasting peace harder to achieve. Disagreement over the border dates back more than a century, but tension increased early this year after a group of Cambodian women sang patriotic songs in a disputed temple. A Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash in May, and two months later, in July, there were five days of intense fighting along the border, which left dozens of soldiers and civilians dead. Thousands more civilians were displaced. Following intervention by Malaysia and President Trump, a fragile ceasefire was negotiated between the two countries, and signed in late October. Trump dubbed the agreement the "Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords". It mandated both sides to withdraw their heavy weapons from the disputed region, and to establish an interim observer team to monitor it. However, the agreement was suspended by Thailand in November after Thai soldiers were injured by landmines, with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announcing that the security threat had "not actually decreased".

Thailand and Cambodia have reached an agreement on an immediate ceasefire after nearly three weeks of deadly clashes along their shared border, the defence ministers of both countries announced in a joint statement on Saturday.

The ceasefire took effect at noon local time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday. Both sides have agreed to freeze the front lines at their current positions and allow civilians displaced by the fighting to return to their homes. The agreement also includes provisions for the removal of landmines in the disputed areas.

According to the joint statement, once the ceasefire has been maintained for 72 hours, Thailand will release 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been held since July. This development marks a significant step towards de-escalating tensions that have resulted in dozens of casualties and displaced nearly one million people in border communities.

Background of the Conflict

The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia dates back more than a century but escalated sharply earlier this year. Tensions intensified after a group of Cambodian women sang patriotic songs at a disputed temple, triggering nationalist sentiments on both sides.

In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash, and in July, five days of intense fighting erupted along the border, leaving dozens of soldiers and civilians dead and forcing thousands to flee their homes. The affected provinces include Thailand's Si Sa Ket and Cambodia's Preah Vihear, both key flashpoints in the dispute.

Previous Ceasefire Efforts and Challenges

Following diplomatic intervention by Malaysia and then-US President Donald Trump, a fragile ceasefire was signed in late October, known as the "Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords." This agreement required both sides to withdraw heavy weapons from the disputed region and establish an interim observer team to monitor the border. However, the ceasefire collapsed in November after Thai soldiers were injured by landmines, leading Thailand to suspend the truce amid concerns that the security threat had not diminished.

Since then, clashes have continued throughout December, including air strikes by the Thai Air Force targeting Cambodian positions. The Thai military stated that their strikes targeted fortified military positions after civilians had evacuated the area. Cambodia's defence ministry condemned the air strikes as "indiscriminate attacks" on civilian homes, heightening animosity between the two nations.

Diplomatic Efforts and Ceasefire Agreement

The latest ceasefire agreement emerged after days of intense negotiations, with diplomatic encouragement from China and the US State Department. Notably, unlike the previous agreement, US President Donald Trump was not personally involved in brokering the deal.

Thailand's Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit described the ceasefire as a test of the "other party's sincerity," emphasizing that should the ceasefire fail or be violated, Thailand reserves the right to self-defence under international law.

Thailand had previously been reluctant to accept a ceasefire, citing poor implementation of the last truce and expressing resentment over Cambodia’s attempts to internationalize the conflict.

Current Situation and Outlook

The ceasefire’s durability largely depends on the political will of both countries amid heightened nationalist sentiment. Cambodia, in particular, faces significant challenges, having lost many soldiers and military equipment, and suffered damage from Thai air strikes. These grievances may complicate efforts to achieve a lasting peace.

The agreement prioritizes the return of displaced civilians and includes plans for landmine clearance, which is critical for the safety and rehabilitation of border areas.

As both nations work to maintain the ceasefire, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping for a sustainable resolution to the longstanding border dispute.