Thailand and Cambodia Sign Ceasefire Agreement After Weeks of Intense Fighting
Thailand and Cambodia have signed a ceasefire agreement ending weeks of intense fighting along their shared 817 km border. The agreement was signed at a border checkpoint by Cambodia's Defence Minister Tea Seiha and Thailand's Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit and took effect at noon local time.
Key terms of the ceasefire include an end to fighting, no further military movements, and a ban on airspace violations for military purposes. The deal also establishes an ASEAN observer team to monitor compliance and calls for direct coordination between ministers and armed forces of both countries. After 72 hours of compliance, Thailand will repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been held as prisoners since July. This initial 72-hour ceasefire period is regarded as a test of Cambodia's commitment to cease using weapons, provocations, and threats.
The conflict, centered on issues of sovereignty, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement since 7 December. Thailand reports 26 soldiers and 1 civilian killed, alongside 44 civilian deaths, while Cambodia reports 30 civilians killed and 90 injured. Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from border areas due to the fighting.
The ceasefire follows a previous July ceasefire brokered by Malaysia with involvement from former US President Donald Trump. The current agreement is formalised under the General Border Committee with ASEAN monitoring the situation to ensure progress towards lasting peace.
