Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, brokered by Malaysia, following days of violent escalation along their contested border. This was confirmed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a joint press conference with the two leaders, as reported by G.Business, citing the BBC.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai pledged to halt hostilities as of midnight local time (8:00 PM Kyiv time). Ibrahim called the move “a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and stability.”
Hun Manet described the talks as “a very good meeting,” expressing gratitude to Malaysia, the United States (Donald Trump), and China for their mediation efforts. Wechayachai emphasized that the agreement was reached “with good intentions.”
Military commanders from both countries are scheduled to hold an informal meeting on the morning of July 29. A formal meeting of defense attachés, led by ASEAN under Malaysia’s current chairmanship, is planned for early August. The press conference concluded with all three leaders shaking hands in front of the cameras.
Background: The Thailand–Cambodia conflict
Thailand and Cambodia share a long and complex history of border disputes. A major flashpoint emerged in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sparking sharp protests from Thailand.
In the years that followed, intermittent clashes claimed the lives of both soldiers and civilians. The latest escalation began in May 2025, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish near the “Emerald Triangle” — a disputed region where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge.
Tensions rose further after a Thai soldier was critically injured by a landmine. On July 23, Thailand announced the closure of border crossings in its northeastern provinces, recalled its ambassador, and expelled a Cambodian diplomat.
On the following day, both nations blamed each other for the escalation. A Thai F-16 fighter jet reportedly struck a Cambodian military target — an attack confirmed by both sides.
By the third day of clashes, at least 35 deaths had been reported, according to The Guardian. Over 270,000 people were displaced from the conflict zone.
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Photo von Х / Samdech Thipadei HUN MANET