Thailand and Cambodia have reached a new ceasefire agreement, effectively concluding weeks of military conflict over disputed border territories. The agreement was formalized on December 27, 2025, during a meeting of the General Boundary Committee (GBC), attended by Thai Defence Minister General Natthaphon Narkphanit and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tea Seiha. This joint commitment not only reaffirms a previous ceasefire established in July but also introduces 16 de-escalation measures aimed at stabilizing the region.
Key provisions of the agreement include an immediate cessation of hostilities, effective at noon on the specified date. Additionally, Thailand has committed to returning 18 Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours of this sustained ceasefire. The de-escalation measures also incorporate restrictions on troop movements, a commitment to avoid provocative actions, and collaborative efforts in humanitarian demining initiatives. Both nations have reiterated their adherence to the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
The ceasefire has garnered support from the international community, particularly from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He emphasized the importance of restraint, stating, “The decision to halt fighting and to hold forces in place reflects a shared recognition that restraint is required, above all in the interest of civilians.”
The long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia dates back to colonial-era mappings established by the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1907. These treaties ambiguously defined the boundaries between Thailand and French Indochina, which encompasses present-day Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and peninsular Malaysia. The 11th-century Preah Vihear temple has been a focal point of tensions. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in favor of Cambodia’s ownership of the temple in 1962, a decision reaffirmed in 2013. Despite this recognition, nationalistic sentiments within Thailand persist, with some segments of the population asserting historical ties to the temple.
In November 2023, a ceasefire brokered by the United States and Malaysia was disrupted when Thailand withdrew following a landmine incident that injured two Thai soldiers. This escalation triggered a humanitarian crisis, resulting in the deaths or injuries of 40 civilians and displacing around 800,000 people from their homes. In response to the deteriorating situation, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers convened on December 22, advocating for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations, supported by the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT).
The new ceasefire agreement is a significant step toward restoring peace and stability in the region. As both nations work to implement the de-escalation measures, the focus now shifts to ensuring the safety and well-being of the affected civilian population, while reinforcing the commitment to diplomatic dialogue in resolving territorial disputes.
