Thailand and Cambodia have reached an agreement for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” following the deadliest border conflict between the two nations in over a decade. The ceasefire became effective at midnight local time (17:00 GMT) after intensive diplomatic negotiations facilitated by Malaysia.

The breakthrough came after significant international pressure, particularly from US President Donald Trump and regional powers pushing for a diplomatic resolution. Trump had personally called both countries’ leaders to urge de-escalation, warning that he would not pursue trade deals with either nation without peace.

The conflict, which lasted several days, involved heavy artillery exchanges and represented the worst fighting between the countries in the past 14 years. The dispute centers on territory that has been contested since colonial France drew the border more than a century ago.

A meeting between military commanders from both nations is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss further de-escalation measures. Malaysian officials, who mediated the talks, described the ceasefire as “a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace”.

The agreement represents a significant diplomatic victory for regional stability, with both countries now expected to focus on returning to trade discussions and long-term border resolution mechanisms.

Why Cambodia and Thailand Went to War?

The recent border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand stems from a century-old territorial dispute rooted in colonial history. The dispute traces back to the Franco-Siamese Treaties of 1904-1907, which defined boundaries between the Kingdom of Siam (Thailand) and French-protected Cambodia. These colonial-era demarcations left several border areas contested and poorly defined.

The immediate trigger for the 2025 conflict remains unclear, though a Cambodian soldier was killed in unclear circumstances during a border skirmish in May. The dispute escalated to deadly violence on July 24 as military forces clashed at multiple spots, representing the worst fighting since the dispute began.

Historical tensions center around sovereignty claims and nationalism that have shaped earlier conflicts. The famous Preah Vihear temple dispute, while not directly causing this year’s fighting, exemplifies the deep-rooted territorial disagreements between the nations.

Clashes have taken place in 12 locations along the disputed border, with the total death toll reaching 32 and 80,000 villagers fleeing their homes. The conflict reflects how colonial-era boundary decisions continue to impact Southeast Asian geopolitics, turning administrative lines into sources of deadly modern warfare.