Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following weeks of intense fighting along their disputed border, raising hopes of a pause in violence that has caused dozens of deaths and forced large numbers of civilians to flee their homes.
In a joint statement released on Saturday, the defence ministers of both countries confirmed that the ceasefire took effect at noon local time. Under the agreement, both sides committed to halting all troop movements and allowing civilians who had been displaced by the fighting to safely return to border communities.
The agreement follows several days of negotiations aimed at stopping renewed clashes that have left at least 41 people dead and displaced close to one million civilians. The fighting has marked one of the most serious escalations in tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in years.
According to the joint statement, the ceasefire includes a freeze on military activity along the border and a commitment to avoid any actions that could provoke further conflict. Both sides agreed to refrain from attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and military positions. The statement also stressed that neither side should advance troops or open fire without provocation.
Officials said that if the ceasefire holds for at least 72 hours, Thailand will release 18 Cambodian soldiers currently in Thai custody. The release is expected to take place under the framework of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, a previous agreement signed by both countries in October in the presence of former US President Donald Trump.
That earlier ceasefire, however, collapsed earlier this month after fresh fighting broke out, with each side accusing the other of violating the truce. Since then, clashes have continued across several contested areas along the border.
Thailand’s military has said its forces were responding to incoming fire from Cambodian positions in Si Sa Ket province, where two Thai soldiers were reportedly injured. Cambodian authorities, meanwhile, have rejected those claims, stating that Thai troops initiated the attack in Preah Vihear province and insisting that Cambodian forces did not retaliate.
The conflict intensified throughout December, culminating in Thai air strikes carried out on Friday against a disputed border area inside Cambodia. The Thai Air Force said the strikes targeted a fortified military position after civilians had been evacuated from the area. Cambodian defence officials disputed that account, describing the air strikes as indiscriminate and alleging damage to civilian homes.
Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have deep historical roots, stretching back more than a century to unresolved territorial disputes dating from the colonial era. While relations between the two countries have generally remained stable, the border issue has periodically triggered military standoffs and armed clashes.
The latest escalation began in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a confrontation near the border. In July, fighting intensified over five days, leaving dozens of soldiers and civilians dead and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
Following international mediation efforts led by Malaysia and supported by the United States, a ceasefire was negotiated and formally signed in late October. Former US President Donald Trump described that deal as the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.” The agreement required both countries to withdraw heavy weapons from the disputed region and establish an interim monitoring team to oversee compliance.
However, Thailand later suspended its participation in the agreement in November. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said at the time that the security situation had not improved sufficiently and that the threat level along the border remained high.
The newly announced ceasefire is seen as another attempt to stabilize the situation and prevent further loss of life. Regional observers say sustained restraint and effective monitoring will be critical to ensuring the truce holds, given the repeated breakdown of previous agreements.
Authorities in both countries have said they will continue diplomatic engagement and coordination to reduce tensions and support humanitarian efforts for displaced civilians. For residents living near the border, the ceasefire offers a chance for calm after weeks of uncertainty, though many remain cautious as they wait to see whether the agreement will last.