Border conflict: ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia in force

The ceasefire agreed in the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia came into force at midnight (local time). According to reports, the heavy battles in the border region initially stopped. In the morning, however, the Thai army reported violations of the Agreement on the part of the Cambodian side.

In a message to X, the military spoke of “unrest and weapons use” in several areas, to which “reacted”. According to the Ministry of Defense Cambodia, on the other hand, it remained calm on the border.

The heads of government of the two Southeast Asian neighbors agreed on Monday at a meeting in Malaysia on an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire. Representatives from the United States and China also took part in the discussions headed by the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysia is the chair of the Southeast Asian community of Asean this year.

Meeting of military leaders postponed

In the early morning, military leaders of both countries should meet for talks. The planned meeting was then postponed by several hours. Details about the reasons were not known.

The conflict between the two neighboring countries has been smoldering for decades. On Thursday, heavy battles broke out on their more than 800 kilometers long border. There were dead and injured on both sides, mainly civilians. More than 200,000 people were driven out of their place of residence. Both sides accuse themselves of triggering violence. What exactly led to the escalation is still unclear.

Before the meeting in Malaysia between Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s head of the Federal Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, international pressure had grown. US President Donald Trump has personally intervened in the escalating dispute since the weekend and called for a quick ceasefire with both heads of the government on phone calls.

Trump sees himself as “President of Peace”

Trump threatened that there would be no negotiations regarding his threatened tariffs as long as it would be fought. Previously, the US President had announced that it was 36 percent of the two countries at the beginning of August with tariffs.

After the meeting in Malaysia, Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social: “I just spoke to the incumbent Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister Cambodia. I am pleased to be able to announce that both countries have reached a ceasefire and peace after the intervention of President Donald J. Trump.” He instructed his team to resume the trade talks. “I am proud to be the president of peace!” He added.