PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia. Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Monday to an unconditional ceasefire, putting an end to five days of deadly border clashes that killed at least 35 people and displaced over 260,000 others on both sides.
The ceasefire was announced during a meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, led by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The leaders agreed to halt fighting, effective at midnight, and shook hands after a brief joint press conference.
An Associated Press journalist stationed near the Cambodian side of the border reported that shelling ceased roughly 10 minutes before the ceasefire took effect. Reports from other affected areas were not immediately available.
The fighting broke out last Thursday after a landmine explosion along the border injured five Thai soldiers. Both nations accused each other of initiating the clashes.
ASEAN chair Malaysia hosted the emergency talks amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who had warned that ongoing hostilities could impact trade negotiations between the two nations. Trump later posted on social media: “They have reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE… I am proud to be the President of PEACE!”
As part of the ceasefire agreement, military commanders from Thailand and Cambodia will meet on Tuesday to de-escalate tensions. Cambodia will also host a border committee meeting on August 4. Anwar said that the foreign and defense ministers of all three countries, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia, have been tasked to create a detailed mechanism to implement and monitor the ceasefire to ensure long-term peace.
Hun Manet expressed hope that bilateral ties would return to normal soon, so nearly 300,000 evacuees could return home. “It’s time to rebuild trust, confidence, and cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia,” he said.
Phumtham said the agreement reflects “Thailand’s desire for a peaceful resolution.”
The joint statement also noted that the United States co-organized the talks, with participation from China. Both Chinese and U.S. ambassadors to Malaysia were present during the two-hour meeting.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who helped coordinate the meeting, praised the ceasefire declaration and reiterated that he and Trump expect both countries to fully uphold their commitment to peace.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X: “President Trump made this happen. Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!”
After returning to Bangkok, Phumtham said President Trump personally called to congratulate him on moving toward peace. Trump also reportedly told him that U.S.-Thailand trade negotiations could now move forward and would be made as favorable as possible.
The recent clashes marked a rare case of open military conflict between member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a bloc known for its commitment to peaceful dialogue and economic cooperation. In response to the violence, both countries had recalled their ambassadors, and Thailand temporarily shut down its borders with Cambodia, except for returning migrant workers.
The ceasefire brought relief to thousands of evacuees. At an evacuation shelter in Surin, Thailand, some women shouted for joy. “I’m happy and relieved,” said Usa Dasri, a vendor and farmer. “We miss our home. I worry about my livestock and crops. I want to go home. I also think of our soldiers at the frontlines. I want them to be safe, too.”
Cambodian evacuees echoed the sentiment, though some expressed caution. Chhuot Nhav, 42, from Oddar Meanchey province, said, “I’m happy because I can go back and take care of my animals and my children can go to school again. But I’ll wait until I’m sure the fighting has really stopped.”
Another farmer, Kong Sin, said he planned to return home on Tuesday if the ceasefire held.
The 800-kilometer (500-mile) Thailand-Cambodia border has long been disputed, but most past confrontations were brief. The latest escalation followed the fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier in May, which strained diplomatic ties and stirred political tensions within Thailand.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
