By Ayomide Otitoju
Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday agreed to an immediate ceasefire, pledging to halt weeks of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens of people and displaced more than one million residents.
The agreement was announced in a joint statement signed by the defence ministers of both countries at a border checkpoint on the Thai side. The ceasefire took effect at 12:00 pm local time (0500 GMT) and applies to all forms of hostilities, including attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and military targets.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step toward easing civilian suffering and creating conditions for lasting peace. Similar messages of support came from the United States, the European Union and China.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged both sides to immediately honour the agreement, while EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni praised the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in facilitating the talks and said the bloc was ready to offer further support if needed.
The ceasefire follows nearly three weeks of intense fighting involving artillery, tanks, drones and fighter jets, which spread across almost all border provinces on both sides. Official figures indicate at least 47 people were killed during the clashes, with Thailand reporting 25 soldiers and one civilian dead, while Cambodia said 21 civilians were killed.
Under the agreement, both sides committed to freezing troop movements, allowing displaced civilians to return home as soon as possible, cooperating on demining and cybercrime prevention, and facilitating the release of detainees. Thailand also agreed to return 18 captured Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours.
Thai Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit described the initial three days as an observation period to confirm compliance, calling the ceasefire “a door to a peaceful resolution.” Civilians on both sides, however, expressed cautious optimism, with many saying they hoped the truce would lead to genuine and lasting peace.
The ceasefire was reached after three days of border talks convened following an emergency meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers. China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, is expected to host further talks between the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers in Yunnan province later this month.
The conflict stems from a long-running territorial dispute along the 800-kilometre Thai-Cambodian border, particularly over ancient temples claimed by both countries due to unclear colonial-era demarcations dating back to 1907. While the ceasefire has halted active hostilities, both sides face the challenge of resolving the underlying border dispute to prevent renewed fighting.
