Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Immediate Ceasefire After Weeks of Deadly Border Clashes

Thailand and Cambodia have announced an immediate ceasefire, according to a joint statement released by their defence ministers on Saturday.

Under the agreement, both countries will halt all troop movements and permit civilians living near the border to return to their homes, bringing an end to weeks of heavy fighting that has left at least 41 people dead and forced nearly one million to flee.

The ceasefire came into force at noon local time (05:00 GMT). If it remains intact for 72 hours, Thailand will release 18 Cambodian soldiers currently in its custody, the statement said.

The agreement followed several days of negotiations between officials from both sides aimed at stopping the renewed hostilities.

The joint statement detailed measures for “de-escalation,” including an immediate end to attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and military targets. Both sides committed to avoiding unprovoked gunfire, troop advances, or movements toward each other’s positions.

It also confirmed that the release of the detained Cambodian soldiers would take place in line with the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration,” a deal signed in October at a ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump. That ceasefire, however, collapsed earlier this month after fresh clashes broke out, with both countries accusing each other of violating the truce.

Thailand’s army said its forces responded to Cambodian fire in Ubon Ratchathani province, where one Thai soldier was killed. Cambodia’s defence ministry countered that Thai troops initiated the attack in Preah Vihear province and claimed Cambodia did not retaliate.

Fighting has continued throughout December, and on Friday Thailand carried out air strikes in a contested border area of Cambodia. The Thai Air Force said it targeted a fortified Cambodian military position after civilians had evacuated, while Cambodia accused Thailand of conducting indiscriminate attacks on civilian homes.

The border dispute between the two countries dates back more than a century, but tensions escalated in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed. In July, five days of intense clashes along the border resulted in dozens of military and civilian deaths and displaced thousands more.

Following mediation by Malaysia and US President Donald Trump, a fragile ceasefire was agreed in late October. Trump referred to the deal as the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords,” which required both sides to withdraw heavy weapons from the disputed area and establish an interim observer mission.

Thailand suspended its participation in the agreement in November, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stating that the security situation had “not actually improved.”