Thailand and Cambodia Agree on Ceasefire After Weeks of Deadly Border Clashes

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire to halt weeks of deadly fighting along their disputed border, raising hopes of an end to the worst military confrontation between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in years.
The ceasefire agreement was reached on Friday following talks between senior military and government officials from both countries, amid mounting international pressure and concerns over civilian safety. Defence authorities on both sides confirmed that the truce came into effect at noon local time, calling for an immediate halt to all hostilities.
The recent clashes, which erupted over long-standing territorial disputes along sections of the Thailand–Cambodia border, have left dozens of people dead and forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Heavy artillery fire, air strikes and ground combat were reported in several border areas, disrupting daily life and damaging homes, schools and public infrastructure.
Under the ceasefire terms, both sides have agreed to stop troop advances, refrain from using heavy weapons and maintain their current positions. Military commanders have also been instructed to open direct communication channels to prevent misunderstandings that could trigger renewed violence.
Cambodian officials said the agreement would pave the way for further dialogue, including talks on border demarcation and long-term confidence-building measures. Thailand, meanwhile, reiterated its commitment to resolving the dispute through peaceful and diplomatic means.
Regional body ASEAN is expected to play a monitoring role to ensure compliance with the ceasefire, while humanitarian agencies have begun assessing the situation on the ground to support displaced civilians returning to their villages.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has its roots in colonial-era boundary demarcations and has flared up periodically over the years. While the latest ceasefire offers a crucial pause in fighting, analysts warn that lasting peace will depend on sustained diplomatic engagement and concrete steps to address the underlying causes of the conflict.
For now, residents on both sides of the border are cautiously hopeful that the guns will remain silent and that normalcy will gradually return after weeks of fear and uncertainty.