After nearly three weeks of intense and often deadly fighting along their shared frontier, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “immediate” ceasefire that aims to halt hostilities and set the stage for de-escalation and negotiation. The agreement — announced by both governments on 27 December 2025 — comes after significant loss of life, widespread displacement and mounting international pressure on both sides to end the violence.
A Swift Ceasefire After Weeks of Violence
In a joint statement signed by Thailand’s Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit and Cambodia’s Defence Minister Tea Seiha, both countries pledged to enact an “immediate” ceasefire that took effect at 12 noon local time on 27 December 2025. The agreement commits Bangkok and Phnom Penh to halt all hostilities involving artillery, tanks, drones and air operations, and to avoid further military movements along the disputed border.
The ceasefire covers both military and civilian targets, including infrastructure, and calls for both nations to freeze troop deployments and refrain from reinforcing or expanding their positions. It also includes commitments to demining cooperation and joint efforts to counter cybercrime.
Human Toll and Displacement
The most recent surge in fighting, which reignited in early December, has exacted a significant human cost. Officials estimate that dozens of people have been killed in the violence and well over half a million civilians have been forced from their homes, with some sources putting the number of displaced at close to a million.
The clashes took place in areas long claimed by both countries, rooted in a vexed territorial dispute dating back to colonial-era border demarcations. The border stretches over 800 kilometres, with several sectors near historical temple sites and agricultural land that have been flashpoints for recurring tensions.
Terms of the Ceasefire Agreement
Under the ceasefire, the two sides agreed to several key measures intended to consolidate peace and reduce the risk of renewed violence:
- Stop all hostilities: No attacks with any category of weapons, including on military or civilian targets.
- Freeze troop movements: Both armies will maintain current deployments and avoid additional reinforcement.
- Return of displaced civilians: Civilians affected by the conflict are to be allowed to return home safely and promptly.
- Repatriation of prisoners: Thailand has agreed to release 18 Cambodian soldiers it has held since earlier clashes, contingent on the ceasefire holding for at least 72 hours.
- Cooperation on demining and broader issues: Both sides will work together to clear landmines and curb activities such as cybercrime that could exacerbate tensions.
Diplomatic and Regional Pressure
Regional organisations and global powers played a notable role in pushing both sides toward this latest pact. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had called for restraint and urged both countries to resume talks and uphold earlier commitments to cease hostilities.
External pressure also came from key international actors including the United States, China and Malaysia, all of which had advocated for a renewed truce and diplomatic engagement as the conflict intensified.
A History of Fragile Peace Deals
The December agreement is not the first effort to end Thai-Cambodian fighting this year. A previous truce had been brokered in July, backed by ASEAN and external powers, but that deal eventually broke down, leading to renewed clashes in December.
The contested border region has been a source of intermittent tensions for decades, underscored by disputes over territorial sovereignty, historical grievances and competing claims around sites of cultural significance. The latest ceasefire seeks not only to halt immediate violence but also to reinforce mechanisms for long-term peace.
What Happens Next? Ongoing Diplomacy and Monitoring
The ceasefire will be monitored by both sides, and mechanisms such as the General Border Committee, which conducted the talks leading up to the agreement, are expected to oversee the truce’s implementation and any future negotiations.
Authorities in both Bangkok and Phnom Penh have emphasised that the ceasefire does not resolve underlying disputes but creates space for further diplomatic dialogue and a return to stability for border communities. Observers note that effective implementation — especially regarding the return of displaced civilians, removal of landmines and prisoner repatriation — will be crucial to building trust and preventing a relapse into violence.
Exploring Broader Implications
The ceasefire agreement is likely to have several implications beyond the immediate border zone:
- Humanitarian relief: Aid organisations are poised to conduct assessments and deliver support as displaced families begin returning home.
- Economic recovery: Border trade and local economies disrupted by weeks of conflict may receive a boost as security improves.
- Diplomatic engagement: The pact may ease regional tensions and provide momentum for ASEAN’s role in mediating future disputes.
- Reinforced international norms: The involvement of global actors in backing the ceasefire may strengthen norms around conflict resolution in Southeast Asia.
Conclusion: A Fragile but Hopeful Peace
The ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia marks a vital step toward ending one of the most significant bouts of border violence between the two neighbours in recent memory. While the agreement halts the fighting and opens the door to humanitarian and diplomatic progress, the durability of peace will depend on ongoing cooperation, effective monitoring and sustained dialogue. The weeks and months ahead will test whether this ceasefire can withstand the deep-rooted challenges that have fuelled conflict in the past.
