The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to end their border clashes, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced.
“Both Cambodia and Thailand reached a common understanding as follows: One, an immediate and unconditional ceasefire with effect from 24 hours local time, midnight on July 28, 2025, tonight,” Mr Anwar said after mediation talks in Malaysia.
Mr Anwar, who chaired the talks as head of the ASEAN regional bloc, said both sides had reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai hailed the outcome of the meeting and shook hands at the conclusion of the brief press conference.
“We have a very good meeting and very good results … that hope to stop the fighting that has caused many lives lost and injuries, and displaced a lot of people,” Mr Hun said.
“We have a total of 300,000 both sides of refugees, 140,000 on Cambodia side, 160,000 on Thai side.
“We hope the solutions … just announced, will set the condition moving forward for our bilateral discussion to return to normalcy of the relationship, and as a foundation for future de-escalation of forces.”
Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim (centre), Cambodia’s PM Hun Manet (left), and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (right) at the talks. (AP: Mohd Rasfan)
The all-out clash was set off after a second Thai soldier was severely injured by a landmine.
In response, Thailand withdrew its ambassador to Cambodia and expelled the Cambodian representative in Bangkok.
Why is there conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?
The Cambodian government then downgraded diplomatic relations with its neighbour to the lowest level.
Thailand’s acting prime minister said the peace agreement was made in good faith by both sides.
“Thailand’s desire (is) for peaceful resolution while continuing to protect our sovereignty and the lives of our people,” he said.
The two leaders thanked Mr Anwar as well as US President Donald Trump for his support, with the US serving as co-organiser of the meeting.
They also thanked the Chinese government.
“(China) has always supported and encouraged both parties to seek a ceasefire and actively participated in supporting this special meeting as well,” Mr Hun said.
A border summit will also be hosted by Cambodia on August 4.
Displaced people in Cambodia were reliant on aid during the worst of the fighting. (AP: Anton L Delgado)
Locals relieved at news of peace
Cambodian Bai Dea, 39, who had been relocated for four days from Oddar Meanchey province because of the violence, said he was relieved.
“I am very happy that they stopped the war. I haven’t been home and have left my cows for four days already. We don’t need to invade other country’s land. We just protect ours,” he said.
Another villager from the same area, Seng Tay, 48, said she was worried about her animals at home.
“I am thankful that they achieved a negotiation. Our land and water spirits protect us. I am very excited [about the ceasefire] because I have left my dog, cat, and chickens for four nights already. They have nothing to eat.”
At a relocation camp about 100 kilometres from the clash site at Ta Moan Temple, Phum Sokhorn, 62, a farmer who fled his home, desperately wanted to see a ceasefire.
“Staying here is miserable. We can’t make any income — we just wait for some little aid,” he said while sitting on his three-wheeled tractor under a shelter.
“I urge Thailand to stop the conflict with Cambodia and take the dispute through legal means at the ICJ.”
Cambodian military vehicles drive away from the Cambodia-Thai border in Siem Reap Province of Cambodia. (AP: Anton L Delgado)
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 on Monday, 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.
The conflict also drew the attention of Pope Leo XIV.
At the Vatican on Sunday, the pontiff said he was praying for all those affected by war in the world, including “for those affected by the clashes on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, especially the children and displaced families”.
The border dispute dates back decades but tensions have been escalating since a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish with Thai troops in May.
Maly Socheata, spokeswoman of Cambodia’s Defence Ministry, said there are around 134,000 Cambodians displaced and 13 people had been killed in the five-day conflict.