The leaders of Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to an immediate ceasefire starting at midnight on Monday, aiming to end the deadliest confrontation between the two countries in over ten years following five days of intense fighting.
The breakthrough came during talks in Malaysia, hosted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs the ASEAN regional bloc. Both nations committed to halting hostilities and restoring direct communication.
“This is final,” Anwar declared at a joint press conference with the Cambodian and Thai leaders, stating that the ceasefire would take effect at midnight and be both immediate and unconditional.
Tensions flared last week when the two Southeast Asian neighbours accused each other of triggering clashes along their 817-kilometre shared border. The violence quickly escalated, with artillery shelling and Thai airstrikes intensifying the conflict.
Anwar had proposed the talks soon after the long-standing border dispute reignited into open conflict last Thursday. Both China and the United States also offered diplomatic support to defuse the situation.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump phoned both leaders, urging a resolution and warning that he would withhold trade agreements unless they ceased hostilities.
Relations between the two nations have grown increasingly strained since the fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier during a brief border skirmish in late May. The incident sparked military buildups on both sides and triggered a diplomatic standoff that nearly collapsed Thailand’s fragile coalition government.
“We had a very productive meeting today with positive results that we hope will immediately end the fighting that has led to loss of life, injuries, and the displacement of civilians,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said. He also expressed gratitude to both Trump and China for their involvement in the peace process.
Hun Manet added that the ceasefire agreement laid out by Prime Minister Anwar could serve as a basis for future dialogue and help restore bilateral relations.
Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who had previously expressed scepticism about Cambodia’s intentions, confirmed that Thailand would adhere to the agreement and implement the ceasefire in good faith.
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