Putrajaya, Malaysia – August 7th, 2025 – Thailand and Cambodia have finalized a 13-point ceasefire implementation agreement to maintain peace along their shared border, following deadly clashes that killed at least 38 people and displaced over 300,000. The agreement, first brokered during talks hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on July 28th, 2025, marks a big step towards de-escalating one of the worst conflicts between the two Southeast Asian neighbors in over a decade.
The ceasefire, effective from midnight on July 28th, 2025, was announced after five days of intense fighting sparked by a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers. The conflict, rooted in a century-old border dispute over areas including the Preah Vihear temple, escalated with rocket attacks and artillery barrages, killing at least 15 Thai civilians and 15 soldiers, and eight Cambodian civilians and five soldiers. Both nations accused each other of initiating the violence, with Thailand alleging Cambodian rocket attacks and Cambodia claiming Thai forces used heavy weapons and airstrikes.
The 13-point agreement, detailed in a joint statement by Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia, outlines measures to ensure lasting peace. Key provisions include:
1. **Immediate Cessation of Hostilities**: Both nations commit to halting all military actions along the 800km border.
2. **Troop Withdrawal**: Gradual pullback of reinforced military units to pre-conflict positions to reduce tensions.
3. **Establishment of a Joint Boundary Committee**: A Cambodian-Thai General Boundary Committee convened its first meeting on August 4, 2025, in Cambodia to address border demarcation disputes.
4. **Direct Communication Channels**: Resumption of regular dialogue between prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defense ministers.
5. **Independent Monitoring**: Malaysia, as the current chair of ASEAN, will deploy a team to monitor ceasefire compliance, with support from the United States and China.
6. **Repatriation of Displaced Persons**: Facilitation of the safe return of nearly 300,000 displaced civilians, including 135,000 Cambodians and 140,000 Thais.
7. **Humanitarian Assistance**: Coordinated efforts to provide aid to affected communities and repatriate the injured and deceased.
8. **No Troop Reinforcements**: Both sides agree to refrain from moving or reinforcing troops in ways that could be misinterpreted.
9. **Local Coordination Teams**: Establishment of joint teams to manage ceasefire implementation at the border.
10. **Verification and Reporting Mechanism**: Defense and foreign ministers from both nations, alongside Malaysia, will develop a detailed framework for ceasefire monitoring.
11. **Restoration of Bilateral Ties**: Steps to normalize trade, travel, and diplomatic relations, disrupted by Cambodia’s downgrade of ties and Thailand’s border restrictions.
12. **Investigation of Violations**: Any reported breaches, such as Thailand’s claim of Cambodian attacks post-ceasefire, will be investigated jointly.
13. **Commitment to Long-Term Peace**: Both nations pledge to address underlying border issues through dialogue, respecting historical rulings like the 1962 International Court of Justice decision awarding Preah Vihear to Cambodia.
The agreement followed intense international pressure, notably from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to pause tariff negotiations with both countries unless fighting ceased. This leverage, combined with mediation by Malaysia and support from China, pushed Thailand—initially resistant to third-party mediation—to the table. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called the talks “a very good meeting” aimed at stopping the fighting immediately, while acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai spoke about Thailand’s commitment to peace “in good faith”.
Despite the truce, challenges remain. Thailand accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire shortly after it took effect, alleging “indiscriminate attacks” overnight on July 28th. Cambodia denied these claims, asserting strict adherence to the agreement. Tensions persist due to deep mistrust, nationalist sentiments, and unresolved border disputes, with both nations using different maps to demarcate the frontier. Analyst Tita Sanglee from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute described the ceasefire as “fragile,” noting that rebuilding trust will require time and sustained effort.
The conflict has also strained social ties, with reports of rising anti-Cambodian sentiment in Thailand prompting thousands of Cambodian migrant workers to return home. Residents on both sides, like Cambodian farmer Phum Sokhorn, expressed relief but highlighted the urgent need for stability to resume normal life.
As military commanders met on July 29th to reinforce the ceasefire, reports from the border indicated a lull in fighting, with no explosions heard in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province or Thailand’s Trat province. The international community, including the United Nations, has urged both nations to fully honor the agreement to prevent further escalation.
The success of the 13-point plan hinges on sustained cooperation and international oversight. While the ceasefire offers hope for peace, the deep-seated border dispute and recent violence show the need for long-term diplomatic solutions to ensure stability in the region.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
