Thailand and Cambodia have reached an immediate ceasefire, the defense ministers from both nations announced in a joint statement. The agreement pauses the front lines at their current positions and allows civilians in border regions to return to their homes, after nearly three weeks of intense clashes that reportedly claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers and displaced nearly one million people.
The ceasefire took effect at noon local time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday. In 72 hours, when the armistice is confirmed to hold, 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand since July will be released, the statement added. This breakthrough followed several days of discussions between the countries, with diplomatic encouragement from China and the United States.
The agreement emphasizes the return of displaced individuals to their homes and includes a plan to remove landmines. Thailand's Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit characterized the ceasefire as a test of the "other party's sincerity" and emphasized Thailand's right to self-defense under international law if the ceasefire were breached. Thailand initially hesitated over the ceasefire due to past implementation issues and concerns about Cambodia internationalizing the conflict.
Unlike the previous ceasefire agreement in July, which eventually collapsed, this agreement saw no direct involvement from US President Donald Trump, though the US State Department played a role. The earlier truce shattered when fresh hostilities erupted, with both sides accusing each other of breaking the agreement. Tensions escalated with incidents reported in Thailand's Si Sa Ket province and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, where reciprocal blame for initiating attacks persisted.
The past month saw continuous clashes, culminating in Thai airstrikes on Friday targeting a Cambodian "fortified military position" after the evacuation of civilians. The Cambodian defense ministry condemned these as "indiscriminate attacks" on civilian structures.
Ultimately, the durability of this ceasefire hinges on the political commitment of both nations. Nationalist sentiments have been exacerbated, especially in Cambodia, which has endured considerable military and equipment losses and suffered extensive damage due to Thai airstrikes. These challenges could complicate efforts to establish a sustainable peace.