World2 months ago2 min read

Thailand, Cambodia agree to 'immediate' ceasefire

DW

Byline

Deutsche Welle

World Correspondent

Covers world developments with editorial context for decision-focused readers.

Thailand, Cambodia agree to 'immediate' ceasefire
Image source: Deutsche Welle

Why it matters

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire, a joint statement by both countries' defense ministers announced on Saturday.

Key takeaways

  • Any reinforcement would heighten tensions ​and ​negatively affect long-term efforts to resolve the situation."The ceasefire ends 20 days of fighting that has killed at least 101 ​people and displaced more than half a million on both sides.As part of the ceasefire, both sides agreed that residents from the border areas affected by the fighting will now be able to return to their homes.Clashes have erupted at several points along the 817 kilometer (508 mile) border, with the conflict escalating into heavy fighting in July which left dozens killed.But on December 7, tensions flared once more with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire, allegations each government denies.Officials from both countries say dozens have been killed since fighting escalated again earlier in December, including civilians, while hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.The conflict stems from a decades-old territorial dispute linked to colonial-era border demarcations and the location of ancient temple ruins along the frontier.
  • Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire, a joint statement by both countries' defense ministers announced on Saturday."Both sides agree to an immediate ceasefire after the time of signature of this Joint Statement with effect from 12:00 hours noon (local time, 0500 GMT) on 27 December 2025, involving all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructures, and military objectives of either side, in all cases and all areas," said the statement from the countries' Special General Border Committee, issued by the Cambodian side.The announcement comes amid peace talks held between the two neighbors after border tensions reignited earlier in December, claiming dozens of lives.To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 videoThe ceasefire agreement was signed by Thai Defence Minister Natthaphon Nakrphanit and his Cambodian counterpart ‍Tea Seiha." Both sides agree to ‌maintain current troop deployments without further ‌movement," ⁠both defence ministers said in the joint statement.

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire, a joint statement by both countries' defense ministers announced on Saturday.

"Both sides agree to an immediate ceasefire after the time of signature of this Joint Statement with effect from 12:00 hours noon (local time, 0500 GMT) on 27 December 2025, involving all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructures, and military objectives of either side, in all cases and all areas," said the statement from the countries' Special General Border Committee, issued by the Cambodian side.

The announcement comes amid peace talks held between the two neighbors after border tensions reignited earlier in December, claiming dozens of lives.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

The ceasefire agreement was signed by Thai Defence Minister Natthaphon Nakrphanit and his Cambodian counterpart ‍Tea Seiha.

"Both sides agree to ‌maintain current troop deployments without further ‌movement," ⁠both defence ministers said in the joint statement. "Any reinforcement would heighten tensions ​and ​negatively affect long-term efforts to resolve the situation."

The ceasefire ends 20 days of fighting that has killed at least 101 ​people and displaced more than half a million on both sides.

As part of the ceasefire, both sides agreed that residents from the border areas affected by the fighting will now be able to return to their homes.

Clashes have erupted at several points along the 817 kilometer (508 mile) border, with the conflict escalating into heavy fighting in July which left dozens killed.

But on December 7, tensions flared once more with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire, allegations each government denies.

Officials from both countries say dozens have been killed since fighting escalated again earlier in December, including civilians, while hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

The conflict stems from a decades-old territorial dispute linked to colonial-era border demarcations and the location of ancient temple ruins along the frontier.

Deutsche WelleVerified

Curated by Fatima Al-Hassan

Sources & Further Reading

Key references used for verification and additional context.

Verification

Grade D1 unique evidence links

Publisher: Deutsche Welle

Source tier: Unranked

Editorial standards: Our process

Corrections: Report an issue

Published: Dec 27, 2025

Read time: 2 min

Category: World