Calm borders, uncertainty: The fragile ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand
- Editorial team
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Cambodia and Thailand have cautiously embarked on a peace process under the auspices of Malaysia, the current chair of ASEAN. On 28 July, a ceasefire was agreed, ending five days of violent clashes that left at least 43 people dead and displaced more than 300,000 people on both sides of the border. This peace pact was negotiated through Malaysian mediation, supported by the United States and China, offering a glimmer of hope for calm.
Discussions held in Kuala Lumpur in early August between the Cambodian and Thai defence ministers resulted in an agreement to establish a regional observation mission comprising military attachés from ASEAN member countries.
This temporary monitoring team, coordinated by Malaysia, is tasked with inspecting the disputed areas, preventing any resumption of hostilities and ensuring strict compliance with the ceasefire. In addition, the delegations have pledged to avoid provocations, misinformation and fake news that fuel mistrust between the two peoples.
However, the situation remains extremely volatile. Despite the official end to fighting, both sides accuse each other of sporadic violations of the truce. Thailand is still holding 18 captured Cambodian soldiers, while Phnom Penh is demanding their immediate release, citing international humanitarian law.
Cooperation on sensitive issues such as demining border areas and combating transnational criminal groups operating in the region is still under discussion.
The Cambodian government is also facing a major information war, denouncing the bias of certain Thai media outlets that continue to portray Phnom Penh as the aggressor, thereby fuelling tensions beyond the military sphere.
On the diplomatic front, Malaysia is maintaining its role as facilitator of the negotiations, while ASEAN stands ready to expand its involvement if necessary, without however considering more ambitious direct intervention at this stage. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised the importance of a lasting peaceful resolution, recalling that this border dispute dates back several centuries and must be overcome to ensure stability and development in the region.
On the popular front, civil mobilisation is marked by great caution mixed with palpable relief, even if uncertainty about the durability of the peace prevails.
The two states are now at a turning point: not only must they consolidate a fragile ceasefire, but they must also initiate constructive dialogue to resolve long-standing territorial disputes and prevent the resurgence of violence.
This recent step in bilateral cooperation reflects a growing awareness of the humanitarian, economic and political risks associated with the persistence of a border conflict.
Cambodia, while thanking Malaysia and ASEAN for their stabilising role, calls for stronger monitoring mechanisms and better transparent communication between the armies.
Thailand, for its part, seeks to maintain control of its border areas while responding to international criticism of its treatment of prisoners and use of weapons.
In short, the ceasefire negotiated in the Malaysian capital is a fragile compromise, the result of intense diplomatic pressure and a shared desire to avoid military escalation. It opens a window of opportunity to rebuild trust between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, but vigilance remains essential.
The coming months will be crucial in transforming this peace agreement into lasting stability, in a regional context marked by complex security and geopolitical issues.
Thus, as Southeast Asia watches closely, Cambodia and Thailand are attempting to turn the page on their bellicose clashes and outline the contours of peaceful coexistence along a troubled border, hoping that the fragile silence of the guns will hold and that diplomatic efforts will take root for the good of the local populations and regional stability.