BANGKOK (AP) — On Saturday, Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire agreement aimed at resolving weeks of armed conflict along their border stemming from territorial disputes. The agreement took effect at noon and mandates a cessation of military deployments and the use of airspace for military operations.
As per reports from the Cambodian Defense Ministry, only Thailand has conducted airstrikes, with attacks on Cambodian positions reported as recently as Saturday morning. The newly established ceasefire also stipulates that Thailand is to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers taken as prisoners since July, a significant demand from the Cambodian government. This repatriation is expected to occur after the ceasefire holds for 72 hours.
Hours after the signing, the Thai Foreign Ministry lodged a complaint claiming that a Thai soldier was severely injured by an anti-personnel land mine allegedly planted by Cambodian forces. The agreement was signed at a border checkpoint by the defense ministers of both nations, Cambodia’s Tea Seiha and Thailand’s Nattaphon Narkphanit, following three days of lower-level discussions between military officials.
The latest ceasefire agreement aims to uphold prior pacts, including one brokered by Malaysia in July which ended five days of fighting. U.S. President Donald Trump played a role in facilitating the July ceasefire by threatening to withdraw trade privileges. The aftermath has seen ongoing propaganda campaigns and sporadic violence, culminating in significant clashes in early December.
In response to the ceasefire announcement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the initiative and urged both nations to fully respect the terms of the new peace accord. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the ceasefire as “a positive step towards alleviating the suffering of civilians” and expressed gratitude to Malaysia, China, and the United States for their contributions to the diplomatic efforts.
China’s Foreign Ministry also praised the ceasefire agreement, emphasizing its objective to bolster bilateral relations and promote regional stability. Trilateral talks hosted by China between the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia are slated for Sunday and Monday in Yunnan province.
Notably, the recent fighting has heavily impacted civilians. Thai officials reported 26 military fatalities and one civilian death since December 7, along with 44 civilian casualties. Cambodia has stated that 30 civilians have been killed, with 90 others injured as a result of the conflict; hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes.
Following the ceasefire, Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha indicated that the agreement would permit displaced individuals to return to their homes and resume their daily routines, including returning to school. Each country has accused the other of instigating hostilities while claiming to act in self-defense.
The agreement contains provisions concerning international protocols against land mines, a substantial concern for Thailand, as its soldiers have suffered injuries from what they assert are newly deployed Cambodian mines. In addition, the new ceasefire agreement includes strategies for joint humanitarian demining operations, aiming to ensure safety in border areas. It also calls for both sides to refrain from spreading misinformation.
Furthermore, the agreement outlines a resumption of previous initiatives to delineate the border and cooperative measures to combat transnational crime, particularly regarding online scams—an issue Cambodia is noted to be central in.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who facilitated the initial ceasefire, remarked that the new agreement reflects a collective understanding of the necessity of restraint, particularly in the interests of civilians. However, Thailand’s Defense Ministry spokesperson emphasized the importance of monitoring the ceasefire's effectiveness, stating that any failure to uphold it could signify a lack of sincerity from Cambodia.
