Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Immediate Ceasefire After Deadly Border Clashes

Kuala Lumpur, July 28, 2025 – Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" following five days of intense fighting along their shared border, which has claimed at least 33 lives and displaced tens of thousands. The announcement was made by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who mediated the talks in Kuala Lumpur, flanked by Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

"This is a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security," Anwar said, noting that hostilities would cease at midnight. The agreement comes after a week of escalating violence, triggered by a century-old border dispute that intensified in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash. Tensions soared further last week when a Thai soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion, prompting Thailand to close border crossings, expel Cambodia’s ambassador, and recall its own.

The conflict saw both sides exchange gunfire and rocket barrages, with Thailand reporting civilian deaths in villages hit by Cambodian rockets, and Cambodia confirming 13 fatalities, including eight civilians. Even as peace talks progressed on Monday, shells continued to land in both countries. Anwar emphasized that Malaysia and other ASEAN members would assist in monitoring the ceasefire. Both nations must now withdraw their heavily reinforced armies from the border and accept independent monitoring to prevent further clashes. Cambodia’s Hun Manet called the talks a “very good meeting” to halt the fighting, while Thailand’s Phumtham Wechayachai pledged to honor the ceasefire. The breakthrough followed an ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to halt tariff negotiations unless the fighting stopped. Both countries, heavily reliant on U.S. exports, face 36% tariffs without a deal, a significant disadvantage compared to neighbors like Vietnam and Indonesia, which have secured lower tariffs. However, maintaining the ceasefire may prove challenging amid deep mistrust between the two militaries and rising nationalist sentiments. Thailand has expressed outrage over Cambodia’s use of multiple rocket launchers last Thursday, which killed at least 14 Thai civilians. Cambodia’s outgunned forces have been pushed back by Thailand’s larger artillery and airstrikes, with Thai forces claiming control of several Cambodian-held hills. The conflict has displaced around 140,000 Thai civilians across seven provinces and approximately 135,000 Cambodians, according to official reports. Evacuees described harrowing conditions, with a 75-year-old Cambodian woman in a shelter telling the BBC she could hear Thai drones overhead and pleaded for the war to end.

As both nations navigate this fragile truce, the international community, particularly ASEAN and the U.S., will play a critical role in ensuring lasting peace along the volatile border.