In a significant development, Thailand and Cambodia have reached an agreement for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” following five days of intense conflict along their border, which resulted in the deaths of at least 33 individuals and the displacement of tens of thousands of people.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, accompanied by his Thai and Cambodian counterparts, announced that hostilities would cease at midnight, marking a crucial initial step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.
Thailand initially rejected the proposal to mediate, but later consented after US President Donald Trump indicated that tariff negotiations would not advance until hostilities ceased.
Tensions surrounding the long-standing border dispute escalated in May following the fatal clash that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Thailand has implemented restrictions for both citizens and tourists travelling into Cambodia by land. In response, Cambodia has enacted a ban on certain imports from Thailand, which includes fruits, as well as power and internet services. Reports from local Cambodian outlets indicate that since May, hundreds of thousands of workers have returned from Thailand.
Last week, tensions heightened following an incident in which a Thai soldier sustained a severe injury, losing his leg due to a landmine explosion. Thailand has taken significant diplomatic measures, including closing several border crossings with Cambodia, expelling the Cambodian ambassador, and recalling its ambassador from Phnom Penh.
Early last Thursday, gunfire erupted between both sides, each asserting that the other had initiated the hostilities.
According to the Thai army, a significant number of casualties on their side have been civilians residing in villages that were struck by rockets. Cambodia reported that 13 individuals have lost their lives on its territory, with eight of those being civilians.
Despite ongoing peace talks in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, shells and rockets persisted in striking both countries.
Anwar stated that Malaysia, along with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), was present to assist in monitoring the ceasefire.
To prevent further clashes, both parties must reach an agreement to withdraw their significantly reinforced armies from the border and to accept a system of independent monitoring.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet characterised the meeting as highly productive, expressing hope that it would lead to an immediate cessation of hostilities. Cambodia has been advocating for a ceasefire since Friday, as the Thai military has repelled its outmatched forces.
In a brief statement, Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai pledged to uphold the ceasefire agreement.
The current state of affairs on the front lines, which remain exclusively accessible to the two opposing armies, remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Thailand asserts that it has seized control of several hills previously held by Cambodia, while maintaining a continuous artillery bombardment using its significantly larger stockpile of heavy weaponry, in addition to conducting airstrikes on Cambodian positions.
The Thai government expressed hesitance regarding participation in peace talks, asserting that a ceasefire could only be established after a dialogue between the two nations and “sincere intentions” from Cambodia. This statement implied a demand for an end to the rocket attacks that have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Thai civilians.
Malaysia may have facilitated the discussions, but the credit likely goes to Washington, particularly to President Trump. On Saturday night, his ultimatum, which threatened to halt all negotiations aimed at reducing US tariffs unless both countries agreed to cease hostilities, likely played a crucial role in compelling them to accept the ceasefire.
Both nations rely significantly on exports to the United States and are confronted with a 36% tariff on their exports in the absence of an agreement. The situation places manufacturers at a significant disadvantage compared to their counterparts in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, which have successfully negotiated agreements to lower their tariffs to 20% or below.
Maintaining the ceasefire poses significant challenges, as deep mistrust has developed between the two armies, compounded by the rise of powerful nationalist sentiments.
Thailand has expressed significant concern over the abrupt deployment of multiple rocket launchers on Thursday, which resulted in the majority of civilian casualties and marked a sharp escalation in what had previously been limited skirmishes involving their military forces.
Evacuees near the Thai border, many of whom endured the bombardments of the Cambodian Civil War in the 1980s, expressed to the media last week that their current situation is the most severe they have ever faced.
On Sunday, the Thai military reported that approximately 140,000 civilians had been relocated to shelters in seven provinces.
In Cambodia, where press freedoms are notably limited, the pro-government Khmer Times reported statements from a defence ministry spokesperson indicating that approximately 135,000 individuals along the border were relocated on Sunday.
A 75-year-old woman from Cambodia, currently residing in a shelter, expressed her ongoing fears in an interview with the media on Monday. She reported hearing Thai drones flying overhead, contributing to her sense of insecurity despite being evacuated to safety.
She expressed a desire to “see the war stop this evening.”
