Thailand and Cambodia have formally agreed to an immediate ceasefire, effective from noon local time on December 27, 2025, bringing a temporary halt to weeks of intense border fighting that has inflicted significant human and material costs on both nations. The joint statement, signed by the defense ministers of both countries during a special meeting of the General Border Committee, prohibits the use of all weapons and explicitly bans attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, military objectives, and any provocative actions that could escalate tensions further.

The agreement mandates that both sides maintain their current troop deployments without any advancement, reinforcement, or movement toward the opponent's positions, while committing to avoid unprovoked firing. This provision aims to freeze the frontline as it stands, preventing further territorial gains or losses amid accusations of violations from previous truces. Additionally, Thailand has committed to releasing 18 captured Cambodian soldiers once the ceasefire has been fully observed for 72 hours, providing a potential confidence-building measure if adhered to strictly.

This marks the second ceasefire in just six months, following an initial truce brokered in July 2025 after five days of clashes, which was later formalized in October under international pressure. That earlier agreement collapsed amid mutual blame over landmine incidents and alleged breaches, leading to the suspension of the pact by Thailand and the resumption of hostilities in early December. The latest escalation involved heavy artillery barrages, rocket exchanges, airstrikes by Thai fighter jets, and reports of drone usage, turning disputed areas along the 800-kilometer border into active combat zones.

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The renewed fighting, among the deadliest in recent history between the two neighbors, has resulted in over 100 deaths, including soldiers and civilians, and displaced more than half a million people on both sides, forcing mass evacuations and straining humanitarian resources in border provinces. Rooted in longstanding disputes over colonial-era border demarcations and ancient temple sites, the conflict has been exacerbated by rising nationalist sentiments and repeated accusations of aggression, with both governments claiming self-defense while condemning the other's actions as violations of sovereignty.

International mediation efforts, involving Malaysia as ASEAN chair, the United States under President Donald Trump—who previously claimed credit for earlier de-escalations—and other regional stakeholders, played a crucial role in facilitating talks that led to this agreement. While the ceasefire offers hope for de-escalation and a return to dialogue through established bilateral mechanisms, analysts caution that unresolved territorial issues and lingering mistrust could undermine its durability unless accompanied by verifiable implementation and broader diplomatic progress.

Also Read: Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Bombing Bridge as Border Conflict Escalates