ASEANEWS HEADLINE-BORDER CONFLICT | Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire after five days of border clash
.Prime Minister Hun Manet (L) and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai shake hands after agreeing to a truce following days of heavy fighting between Cambodia and Thailand. With them is Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim, who helped broker the deal. PMO
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Breaking News:
Thai army accuses Cambodia of breaking truce
SURIN, Thailand (AFP) – Thailand’s army accused Cambodia Tuesday of violating an hours-old truce, saying clashes continued despite a deal meant to end the bloody fighting that engulfed their jungle-clad frontier.
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WATCH VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5z1tawt1ps
The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a truce after five days of deadly border clashes. The agreement came following ceasefire talks in Malaysia on July 28, 2025, amid the escalating conflict. At least 35 people, most of them civilians, have been killed since July 24, when a long-simmering territorial dispute boiled over into open conflict along the nations’ shared frontier.
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ‘unconditional’ ceasefire after 5 days of fighting
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Ceasefire breakthrough: Cambodia and Thailand agree to stop fighting after Malaysia peace talks
Synopsis: Following five days of deadly border clashes, the neighbours have reached a truce, at a Malaysia-hosted summit, with key support from the US and China.
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After five days of deadly border clashes and a failed attempt at third-party mediation, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in a high-level meeting chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with support from key world powers the United States and China.Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday attended peace talks in Malaysia in a high-stakes effort to resolve the intensifying armed conflict along the Cambodian-Thai border.
The emergency meeting, held at the official residence of the Malaysian leader, was co-organised by the United States, which was represented by its Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan. Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing was also in the meeting as an observer.
In a joint statement issued after the conclusion of the meeting last evening, the governments of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand announced the breakthrough agreement to cease fire and de-escalate the border conflict that has drawn regional and international concern.
“Prime Minister Hun Manet and Acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai have expressed their positions and willingness for an immediate ceasefire and return to normalcy,” the statement read.
According to the agreement, the ceasefire will take effect at midnight yesterday.
The statement said the US and China played significant roles in achieving the positive result.
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“United States President Donald J. Trump has been in contact with the leaders of both countries,, urging the leaders to find a peacefulul solution to the situation. The Chinese side has kept close contact with Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and relevant countries to actively promote dialogue, ceasefire, and restoring peace,” it said.
“The presence and collaboration of all parties underscore a shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and regional stability.”
Following the ceasefire, Cambodia and Thailand will convene an informal meeting of regional commanders, from Regional Military 1 and 2 on the Thai side and Regional Military 4 and 5 on the Cambodian side, at 7am today.
If both sides agree, the two neighbouring countries will arrange a meeting with defence attaches led by the ASEAN chair. A General Border Committee meeting will follow on August 4 in Cambodia, if the two parties consent.
“Both sides also agreed to resume direct communications between both prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defence ministers,” the statement reads.
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“The Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand have been instructed to develop a detailed mechanism for the implementation, verification, and reporting of the ceasefire. This mechanism will serve as a foundation for sustained peace and accountability.”
Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, will serve as an observer to verify and ensure the implementation of the agreement.
“Malaysia will also consult with fellow ASEAN Member States to participate in the observation effort, reflecting a regional commitment to supporting peace on the ground,” the statement said.
Speaking in a post-meeting press conference yesterday, Mr Hun Manet thanked his Malaysian counterpart for helping to broker the ceasefire. He also commended US President Donald Trump for his “decisive mediation” in the conflict, and China for participating in the peace process.
“I also thank you, Prime Minister Phumtham, for your positive role in the constructive dialogue we had today, leading to the agreement that will lead to the cessation of fighting starting from tonight and open the way for engagement between military to military from tomorrow morning, starting with the regional commanders’ meeting at seven o’clock,” the Cambodian Prime Minister said.
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“There are also possibilities of further engagement with representatives from ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, with the approval of both sides after our meeting.”
He said he is looking forward to the upcoming JBC meeting, which he described as a platform for more dialogue to assist the two countries in returning to normalcy.
“I appreciate the outcome, and we hope—and I confidently believe—that the result we achieved today will provide a lot of opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people on both sides to return to normalcy, to stop the fighting between our two countries, and to start rebuilding trust, confidence, and cooperation going forward between Cambodia and Thailand,” he added.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham said the meeting outcome reflects Thailand’s desire for peaceful resolution.
“While continuing to protect our sovereignty and the life of our people, we agree to achieve a peace that will be carried out successfully in good faith by both sides,” he said.
Anwar said on X yesterday that said he was honoured that Malaysia had been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire at the request of both parties.
“This peaceful resolution reflects the true spirit of the ASEAN Charter, which is rooted in mutual respect, dialogue, and the rejection of violence in favour of humanity,” he said. Once again, ASEAN affirms its role as a credible and principled force on the global stage, guided by diplomacy and a shared commitment to human dignity.”
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An evacuee who fled their home near the border between Cambodia and Thailand rests in a hammock under a truck on the grounds of a pagoda in Oddar Meanchey province on July 28, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
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Anwar thanked Thailand and Cambodia for choosing the path of diplomacy, US President Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their constructive support in advancing the peace initiative.
Country leaders and diplomats yesterday applauded the ceasefire agreement between the two ASEAN member states.
On his Instagram account, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in both Khmer and Thai, “It is now the time to stop using weapons at the Cambodian-Thai border.
Border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand boiled over on July 24. Fighting spread from Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey to Pursat on Saturday morning, when Thailand fire five heavy artillery shells into multiple locations in Ekapheap village of Veal Veng district.
The Thai army has used F-16 jets and cluster bombs in its assaults, killing and injuring Cambodians and inflicting devastating damage on the civilian structures and local ancient temples.
It was reported that in the past several days, Cambodian troops were able to defend all their key positions. During this period, Senate President Hun Sen, who is a five-star general, worked as an advisor to Mr Hun Manet, Defence Minister General Tea Seiha, and military commanders in manoeuvring military operations.
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Nearly 40,000 Cambodian families displaced amid ongoing border conflict, defence spokeswoman confirms
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The clashes have resulted in casualties as both military personnel and civilians were killed and properties and infrastructure were damaged, although Cambodia has yet to release the official toll.
Pou Sothirak, a retired academic and Distinguished Senior Advisor at the Cambodia Centre for Regional Studies, said the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand is a “very positive” sign, particularly because it involved the world’s superpowers.
“The US has done a great job in using its influence to mediate the ceasefire,” he said. “The credit also goes to the prime ministers of both countries, who gave their consent to sitting down to a peace talk while their armies are fighting ferociously.”
Sothirak said that from now on, the two Southeast Asian countries must “keep looking forward” to maintain peace between one another.
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Thailand, Cambodia clash despite ceasefire hopes
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“The fight started because of a misunderstanding,” he said. “The military leaders meeting each other is a good sign, but it is even better when a third party from ASEAN is monitoring the process.”
Documentation Centre of Cambodia Director Youk Chhang said it will take time and effort to restore trust between Cambodia and Thailand.
“Trust between Thailand and Cambodia has been broken,” he said.
“For the journey to peace for both populations, we need ASEAN to walk alongside; otherwise it is going to be a long road to stability.”
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