PUTRAJAYA, July 28, 2025 — In a major breakthrough, Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” set to take effect at midnight local time on July 28, 2025, announced Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a press briefing following a special trilateral meeting hosted in Malaysia.
Anwar Ibrahim, speaking as the current Chair of ASEAN, declared that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had expressed willingness to halt hostilities and restore peace and security between their nations. He called the agreement “a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and stability.”
The ceasefire comes after five days of intense clashes along the Cambodia–Thailand border beginning July 24, which by the time of agreement had claimed at least 30 to 35 lives and displaced around 300,000 civilians from both countries. The conflict involved heavy military weapons, air strikes, and artillery exchanges in disputed border regions, including areas near historic temples such as Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom.
Key Provisions and Next Steps
- Ceasefire effective: Midnight local time on July 28, 2025
- Military coordination: Regional commanders of both sides will meet at 7 a.m. tomorrow, followed by possible consultation among defence attachés, with Malaysia facilitating
- Border mechanisms: A meeting of the General Border Committee is scheduled for August 4, hosted by Cambodia, to formalize procedures
- Monitoring arrangements: Malaysia will coordinate a ceasefire monitoring team to oversee compliance with the agreement
International Involvement and Reactions
The agreement was facilitated by Malaysia under its ASEAN Chairmanship, with participation by the United States and China as observers in the talks held at Anwar’s official residence in Putrajaya.
The ceasefire was also influenced by diplomatic pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned of potential imposition of 36% trade tariffs if hostilities continued. Trump’s intervention reportedly accelerated the negotiations and outcome. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the ceasefire, while China reaffirmed its interest in promoting a peaceful resolution.
Cambodian officials expressed relief and cautious optimism, acknowledging the humanitarian toll the conflict had inflicted. In Thailand, officials remained guarded, emphasizing the need for credible confirmation of de-escalation on the ground.
Context and Outlook
The violence, sparked by a long-standing border dispute dating back decades, represents the deadliest phase of Cambodia–Thailand clashes in over ten years. The ceasefire agreement is aimed at halting immediate violence and creating pathways for diplomatic resolution—but the underlying territorial disagreements remain unresolved. Analysts caution that the truce’s durability depends on the pace and sincerity of follow-up negotiations.
Both sides have committed to reinstating direct communication channels and mutual coordination in the coming days. The next formal step—a General Border Committee session on August 4—will be critical in shaping whether this ceasefire can evolve into a lasting peace framework.
