Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire after 5 days of clashes

Indian Express

2 days ago

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' after five days of clashes along their disputed border left at least 33 people dead and forced over 120,000 to flee their homes.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, alongside his Thai and Cambodian counterparts, announced the deal in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. 'This is a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security,' he said, confirming that hostilities would cease at midnight.
The breakthrough came only after intense pressure from the United States, Malaysia and China. On Saturday night, US President Donald Trump warned that tariff negotiations with both countries would be suspended unless the fighting stopped.
Both Thailand and Cambodia are heavily dependent on US markets and face a 36 per cent tariff on exports to the US without a deal.
Vietnam and Indonesia have already secured agreements to reduce their tariffs to 20 per cent or less, putting added pressure on Bangkok and Phnom Penh.
Cambodia had been urging a ceasefire since Friday, with its under-equipped military struggling to hold the line against a more powerful Thai force.
Both sides accused the other of targeting sensitive areas through the use of rockets and heavy artillery. Cambodia said the assaults had desecrated historic sights, Thailand said residential areas had been affected and that Cambodia was moving long-range launchers to the front lines.
The fighting has hit civilians hard: Thailand reported most of its casualties were villagers killed by rockets, and Cambodia confirmed 13 deaths, including eight civilians. Over 100,000 Thais have been moved to shelters across four provinces, with 300 evacuation centres set up. Cambodia said 20,000 fled Preah Vihear province.
Fighting continued even as peace talks were underway. On Monday, shells were still landing across the border.
The escalation began earlier this month after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish. A landmine blast last week that maimed a Thai soldier triggered further retaliation.
Thailand closed border crossings, expelled Cambodia's ambassador, and recalled its own. Cambodia hit back by blocking Thai imports like fruit and cutting power and internet access, while many Cambodian workers returned home from Thailand.
The violence has disrupted major events including the cancellation of celebrations for Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn, who turned 73 on Monday. It has also fuelled nationalist tensions, prompting Thai authorities to warn its citizens against hate speech and violence directed towards Cambodians living in the country.
ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and six other regional countries has agreed to monitor the ceasefire. Forces situated along the border are expected to pull back as independent observers mitigate tensions.
This is not the first time that Thailand and Cambodia have been at odds with fighting erupting in 2003, 2008, 2009 and 2011. The root of the conflict stems from their 817 km border, drawn in 1907 by France, where clear demarcation of territory has remained elusive.