As of midnight local time, mutual attacks are to cease completely. The decades-long border dispute between the two neighboring countries flared up again on Thursday. The ceasefire was negotiated in Putrajaya, Malaysia, between the heads of government — Hun Manet of Cambodia and Phumtham Wechayachai of Thailand. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acted as mediator.
Since Thursday, intense fighting has resulted in more than 30 deaths — including over 20 civilians — and numerous injuries on both sides. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing the region. Gunfire resumed just shortly before the start of the negotiations. United States Pushes for Dialogue The U.S., in particular, had been urging a meeting between the conflicting parties since the weekend. President Donald Trump personally pressured both heads of government through phone calls.
Representatives from both the United States and China participated in the talks held in Putrajaya. International Pressure Mounts Shortly before the negotiations, global pressure on both parties had intensified. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for “an immediate ceasefire” in a statement posted on X. Malaysian Prime Minister Ibrahim had already contacted his counterparts in Cambodia and Thailand shortly after the fighting began and offered to mediate.
Malaysia currently holds the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Since the onset of hostilities, both sides have blamed each other for starting the violence. Attacks have also hit civilian buildings, including a hospital and a supermarket. Thailand deployed fighter jets against military positions, while Cambodia launched missiles across the border.
Tensions Escalated Since May The conflict had been escalating since a firefight between soldiers of both countries in late May, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Most recently, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry accused Thailand of using chemical weapons. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry denied the allegations, calling them “baseless accusations” and “disinformation” aimed at damaging Thailand’s reputation in the international community.
President Trump had already spoken with both leaders by phone on Saturday. On Truth Social, he wrote: “They agreed to meet immediately and work quickly on a ceasefire and ultimately PEACE!” He added that there would be no negotiations on the threatened tariffs as long as the two countries continued fighting. Trump had previously announced plans to impose 36% tariffs on both nations starting in early August.
Mass Return of Cambodian Migrants Meanwhile, the number of Cambodians living in Thailand seeking to return home with their belongings is increasing. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry in Phnom Penh stated that more than 400,000 migrant workers had already crossed the border, saying they no longer felt safe in Thailand. Many more are expected to follow.
