Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” following peace talks.
Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai met at the official residence of Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim who hosted the negotiations as Chair of the regional bloc, Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN).
The talks were held after US President, Donald Trump asked both nations to agree to a ceasefire as a pre-condition to their respective trade talks with Washington.
Anwar, who chaired the talks and announced the ceasefire, said that both sides have reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy.
The Malaysian leader said that the ceasefire would take effect from midnight local time, adding, “This is a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security.“
He expressed his “deep appreciation and gratitude” to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia.
He added that Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet and Thai acting leader Phumtham Wechayachai “expressed their positions and willingness to immediate ceasefire.”
Also, Anwar disclosed that the morning after the ceasefire takes effect, Thai and Cambodian military commanders will hold an “informal meeting” at 07:00 on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. It will be followed by a meeting of defence attaches led by the Chairman of ASEAN on August 4, 2025.
At least 35 people have been killed and thousands displaced since 24 July when fighting escalated following months of tensions.
The 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief.
The latest tensions erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand’s domestic politics.
The fighting flared last Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes, that have killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 260,000 people on both sides.
Both countries recalled their Ambassadors and Thailand shut all border crossings with Cambodia, with an exception for migrant Cambodian workers returning home.
The violence marks a rare instance of open military confrontation between ASEAN member states, a 10-nation regional bloc that has prided itself on non-aggression, peaceful dialogue and economic cooperation.
In a statement, ASEAN Foreign Ministers reiterated concern over the rising death toll, destruction of public properties and displacement of a large number of people along the disputed border areas.
They urged the two countries to resolve their disputes through negotiations and expressed support for efforts to find a middle ground during the talks.
Meeting Outcome Hailed
Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet called the talks “a very good meeting” and said that he hopes to stop the fighting “immediately.”
He noted that there have been 300,000 people displaced on both sides of the conflict. The Cambodian leader thanked Anwar, US President Donald Trump and the Chinese government for their involvement in the mediation.
He also thanked his Thai counterpart Phumtham Wechayachai for his “constructive” engagement in the talks.
Additionally, Hun Manet said that he is confident that results from the talks will “provide a lot of opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people on both sides to return to normalcy.”
He stressed that it’s a time to “start rebuilding trust and confidence going forward between Cambodia and Thailand.”
Acting Thai PM Phumtham Wechayachai spoke briefly after his Cambodian counterpart. He said that the ceasefire was negotiated by his country “in good faith” and that Thailand is committed to peace.
Hun Manet and Phuntam shook hands at the conclusion of the brief press conference.
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