Thailand and Cambodia have signed an immediate ceasefire agreement to halt weeks of intense border fighting, the worst in years between the Southeast Asian neighbors. The truce, effective from noon local time (05:00 GMT) on December 27, 2025, was announced following a special meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) co-chaired by the countries' defense ministers.
The joint statement, signed by Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha and Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit, commits both sides to ceasing all hostilities, including attacks on civilians, infrastructure, and military targets. It mandates no further troop movements or reinforcements, with direct coordination between defense authorities and monitoring by an ASEAN observer team.
A key provision includes Thailand's commitment to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July clashes if the ceasefire holds for 72 hours. The agreement also facilitates the safe return of displaced civilians and resumption of border demarcation work through the Joint Boundary Commission, prioritizing demining and safety for survey teams.
The renewed violence began on December 8, 2025, following a skirmish that wounded two Thai soldiers, breaking a fragile truce brokered in October 2025 with involvement from Malaysia and U.S. President Donald Trump. Fighting involved artillery, rockets, drones, tanks, and airstrikes—primarily by Thailand's F-16 jets—spreading across multiple provinces.
Casualty estimates exceed 100 deaths, with Thailand reporting 26 soldiers and one civilian killed directly, plus 44 civilian deaths from collateral effects. Cambodia cited 30-31 civilian fatalities. Nearly one million people were displaced on both sides, exacerbating humanitarian challenges.
Cambodia accused Thailand of indiscriminate attacks, including a reported Saturday morning airstrike dropping bombs on civilian areas shortly before the signing. Thailand described operations as targeted against fortified positions.
The GBC meeting followed three days of lower-level talks at a border checkpoint in Thailand's Chanthaburi Province. Regional leaders welcomed the truce: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised "practical and positive measures," while the U.S. urged full implementation of prior accords.
The long-running dispute stems from colonial-era border demarcations, particularly around ancient temples. Previous major clashes in July 2025 killed at least 48 before a temporary halt.
As the ceasefire takes hold, observers emphasize the need for good-faith adherence to prevent further escalation in this strategically sensitive region.
