Kuala Lumpur: Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Monday. "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 28th July 2025, tonight," Anwar said following mediation talks in Malaysia.
According to Deutsche Welle, the ceasefire comes after a deadly conflict that has resulted in the deaths of at least 35 people and displaced around 200,000 in the most severe fighting between the two countries in over a decade. The hostilities included airstrikes and missile attacks, prompting both nations to recall their ambassadors and Thailand to close all border crossings with Cambodia, except for allowing Cambodian migrant workers to return home.
Anwar proposed the ceasefire talks soon after the border dispute escalated into open conflict last Thursday. In addition, China and the United States offered assistance in the negotiations. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump communicated with both leaders and warned of withholding trade deals unless the fighting ceased.
In his role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Anwar stated that acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet had agreed to work towards restoring normalcy. "This is a vital first step," Anwar commented after the talks, emphasizing the leaders' commitment to an immediate ceasefire, de-escalation, and restoring peace and security.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet affirmed, "The solutions that Prime Minister Anwar just announced will set a condition for moving forward for our bilateral discussion to return to normalcy of the relationship." His Thai counterpart expressed confidence that the ceasefire would "be carried out successfully in good faith by both sides."