Thailand and Cambodia have reached a significant ceasefire agreement aimed at resolving a prolonged border dispute that has led to military conflict over the past few weeks. The agreement was announced on December 27, 2025, during the 3rd special meeting of the General Boundary Committee (GBC), where Thai Defence Minister General Natthaphon Narkphanit and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tea Seiha underscored their commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Key Provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement
This new ceasefire builds upon an earlier agreement reached in July 2023, reaffirming the necessity for a peaceful resolution. The key provisions of the agreement include an immediate halt to all hostilities, effective from noon on the signing date. Furthermore, Thailand has committed to returning 18 Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours of the ceasefire. Other measures outlined involve restrictions on troop movements, pledges to avoid provocative actions, and collaborative efforts towards humanitarian demining.
Both nations have also reaffirmed their obligations under international treaties that prohibit the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, highlighting a shared commitment to humanitarian principles.
International Support and the Historical Context
The ceasefire has garnered support from international leaders, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who, as the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), expressed optimism. 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.” This reflects the broader regional concern for the humanitarian impact of the conflict, which has seen 40 civilians either killed or injured, and forced approximately 800,000 people to flee their homes.
The historical context of the conflict dates back to colonial-era mappings established by the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1907. The ambiguous boundaries defined in these treaties have sparked ongoing tensions, particularly surrounding the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, which the International Court of Justice ruled in favor of Cambodia in a landmark decision in 2013, a ruling that was reaffirmed in 2017.
Despite Thailand’s official recognition of Cambodian ownership of the ancient Khmer temples, nationalistic sentiments among some segments of the Thai population continue to fuel disputes. The recent escalation of violence was exacerbated by a landmine incident in November 2023 that injured two Thai soldiers, leading to a temporary withdrawal from a previously brokered ceasefire.
The situation necessitated urgent diplomatic intervention, resulting in the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on December 22, 2023, which called for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations supported by an ASEAN Observer Team.
The renewed ceasefire agreement stands as a crucial step towards stabilizing the region and addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict. Both nations now face the challenge of maintaining peace while addressing the deep-rooted historical grievances that have long plagued their bilateral relations.
