Thailand and Cambodia have signed a new ceasefire agreement aimed at resolving a prolonged military conflict over disputed border territories. This agreement was finalized on Saturday during the third special meeting of the General Boundary Committee (GBC) in the presence of key officials, including Thai Defence Minister General Natthaphon Narkphanit and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tea Seiha.
The ceasefire agreement, which builds on a previous accord established in July, outlines 16 de-escalation measures designed to stabilize the situation in the region. Among its key provisions is an immediate halt to hostilities, effective from noon on December 27, 2025. In accordance with the agreement reached in October 2023, Thailand will return 18 Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours of the ceasefire being sustained.
De-escalation Measures and Humanitarian Efforts
The newly signed agreement imposes restrictions on troop movements and underscores commitments from both nations to avoid provocative actions. Additionally, it emphasizes collaborative efforts in humanitarian demining, which is crucial for civilian safety in the border areas. Both countries reiterated their obligations under the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently holds the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), welcomed the ceasefire. He stated, “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.”
Historical Context and Ongoing Tensions
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has deep historical roots stemming from colonial-era agreements, particularly the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1907. These treaties ambiguously defined boundaries between Thailand and French Indochina, which includes present-day Cambodia and other neighboring countries. A significant focal point of this tension is the Preah Vihear temple, an ancient site that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled belongs to Cambodia in a 2013 decision, which was reaffirmed in 2017.
While Thailand officially recognizes Cambodian ownership of the Preah Vihear temple, some segments of the Thai population continue to assert nationalistic claims over the site, contributing to ongoing friction. The situation escalated in November when a previously brokered ceasefire was undermined by a landmine incident that injured two Thai soldiers, prompting Thailand to withdraw from the agreement. This escalation led to a humanitarian crisis, with reports indicating that 40 civilians were killed or wounded and approximately 800,000 people displaced from their homes.
In response to the crisis, the Chair’s Statement at the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on December 22 called for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations, with support from the ASEAN Observer Team.
The new ceasefire agreement represents a critical step towards reducing tensions and addressing the humanitarian implications of the conflict. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation as both nations work towards implementing the terms of this vital agreement.
