Thailand and Cambodia have entered a new ceasefire agreement aimed at resolving escalating military conflicts over disputed border territories. The agreement was signed on Saturday by Thai Defence Minister General Natthaphon Narkphanit and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tea Seiha during the third special meeting of the General Boundary Committee (GBC). This initiative comes after weeks of heightened tensions and violence, reaffirming a previous ceasefire established in July.
The key provisions of the agreement include an immediate cessation of hostilities, effective from noon on December 27, 2025. Under the terms, Thailand will return 18 Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect. The agreement also outlines 16 de-escalation measures designed to stabilize the region, which involve restrictions on troop movements, commitments to avoid provocative actions, and collaborative efforts for humanitarian demining.
Both nations reaffirmed their obligations under international treaties concerning anti-personnel mines, which prohibit their use, stockpiling, production, and transfer. The ceasefire has received support from the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, who emphasized the importance of civilian safety. He stated, “The decision to halt fighting and to hold forces in place reflects a shared recognition that restraint is required, above all in the interest of civilians.”
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia dates back to colonial-era agreements, particularly the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1907, which left ambiguities regarding the boundary definitions. A focal point of the tensions is the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which the International Court of Justice ruled to belong to Cambodia in 1962. Although Thailand has officially recognized Cambodian ownership of this and other Khmer temples, nationalist sentiments persist among some Thai citizens, complicating the situation further.
The recent conflict escalated after a landmine incident in November injured two Thai soldiers. This led to a ceasefire brokered by the United States and Malaysia, following Thailand’s withdrawal from the previous agreement. The violence has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences, with reports indicating that 40 civilians have either been killed or wounded, forcing approximately 800,000 people to flee their homes.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Chair’s Statement at the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on December 22, 2025, called for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations, supported by the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, advocating for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing border dispute that has affected countless lives.
As Thailand and Cambodia strive to implement this new ceasefire agreement, the focus remains on restoring stability and ensuring the safety of civilians impacted by the ongoing conflict.
