THAILAND and Cambodia announced on Saturday that they have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, bringing to an end three weeks of intense and deadly border clashes that have been described as the worst between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in years.
The agreement was confirmed in a joint statement by the defence ministers of both countries, following negotiations mediated through their Special General Border Committee.
“Both sides agree to maintain current troop deployments without further movement,” Reuters quoted the statement, which was shared on social media by Cambodia’s Defence Ministry.
“Any reinforcement would heighten tensions and negatively affect long-term efforts to resolve the situation.”
The ceasefire, signed by Thai Defence Minister Natthaphon Nakrphanit and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Seiha, is set to take effect at 12.00 noon local time (0500 GMT) on Saturday, and covers all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and military objectives across all contested areas.
The clashes reignited in early December after a breakdown in a previous ceasefire brokered in July with the assistance of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Over the past 20 days of fighting, at least 101 people have been killed, while more than half a million civilians on both sides of the border have been displaced.
“Both sides agree to an immediate ceasefire after the time of signature of this Joint Statement with effect from 12.00 noon, involving all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructures, and military objectives of either side, in all cases and all areas,” the joint statement read.
The truce is expected to stabilise the volatile border region and pave the way for renewed diplomatic talks to resolve longstanding territorial disputes between the two nations. - December 27, 2025
