Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet (C) speaks throughout a press convention subsequent to Thailand’s performing Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (middle R) and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (middle L) after talks on a potential ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia in Putrajaya on July 28, 2025. Thailand and Cambodia started discussing a ceasefire of their festering border dispute on July 28, because the lethal skirmish dragged right into a fifth day.
Mohd Rasfan/AFP through Getty Photographs
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Mohd Rasfan/AFP through Getty Photographs
Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire on Monday, set to start out at midnight native time, after attending talks in Malaysia geared toward ending a 5-day border dispute that has left dozens useless.
The ceasefire got here after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened each nations with larger tariffs if the preventing continued, and amid strain from China and the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations. Nevertheless, even because the talks in Kuala Lumpur had been underway, preventing was reported to be ongoing.
How did this border battle begin?
Cambodia and Thailand have lengthy had a dispute over a part of their shared border, which has resulted in sporadic eruptions of preventing every now and then — most just lately in 2011.
A part of the issue dates again over a century to when French colonial powers mapped out the borders of the 2 nations. Each nations declare possession of Preah Vihear, an eleventh century Hindu temple on the border. In 1962, the Worldwide Court docket of Justice dominated that Preah Vihear fell inside the sovereignty of Cambodia. Thailand rejects that, regardless of the ICJ repeating the ruling in 2013 and ordering Thai forces to depart the realm. It is a heated subject for each Thai and Cambodian nationalists.
The most recent bout of preventing flared up when a mine explosion on the border final week killed 5 Thai troopers. Previously 5 days at the least 35 individuals have been killed and hundreds displaced. Either side blames the opposite for the escalation, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of firing rockets, whereas Cambodia accuses Thailand of finishing up airstrikes.
However tensions began earlier than that, when a Cambodian soldier was killed on the border in Might. An ensuing telephone name between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian strongman – and de facto chief — Hun Sen resulted in an enormous political fallout.
Hun Sen leaked the decision, the place Shinawatra appeared to defer to him, criticizing certainly one of her personal army prime brass. It brought about an uproar in Thailand over the notion she was kowtowing to the Cambodian and noticed Shinawatra suspended whereas a courtroom investigates whether or not to dismiss her.
What was agreed in Malaysia?
Malaysian chief Anwar Ibrahim introduced the ceasefire had been agreed, saying it was “a significant first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and safety.” The ceasefire would begin at midnight and on Tuesday, after it had taken impact, army commanders from either side would meet, he added.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet — Hun Sen’s West Level-educated son — thanked Trump and the Chinese language authorities for his or her involvement within the mediation. He stated it was time to “begin rebuilding belief and confidence going ahead between Cambodia and Thailand.”
For his half, Thailand’s performing Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai additionally thanked Trump and stated Thailand had negotiated the ceasefire in “good religion.”
Over the weekend Trump known as each leaders, threatening to drag out of tariff negotiations if preventing continued. On Sunday Secretary of State Marco Rubio additionally known as for a swift finish to hostilities.
Why does it matter?
Many analysts see the dispute as a take a look at of which superpower has extra affect on this strategic a part of Southeast Asia; the U.S., which conducts joint army workout routines with Thailand, or China, which is the largest buying and selling associate of each Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia additionally has a naval base primarily funded by China.
