Defense officials from Thailand and Cambodia have reported “meaningful progress” in talks this week, setting the stage for the potential signing of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement. The broader deal is anticipated to be finalized in the coming days, marking a significant step toward de-escalating border tensions.
High-Profile Signing at ASEAN Summit
The formal signing of the ceasefire deal is scheduled to take place on Sunday on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur. The event is expected to draw international attention, with reports indicating that U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to witness the ceremony, underscoring the global significance of the peace efforts.
Building on a Fragile Truce
This week’s negotiations were focused on finalizing the details of the agreement to ease hostilities. The talks follow a deadly five-day conflict in July that represented the most severe fighting between the neighboring nations in decades. The clashes resulted in at least 48 fatalities and temporarily displaced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes on both sides of the border. An initial ceasefire, brokered with involvement from Malaysia and the United States, was established on July 28.
Key Agreements Reached
Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit outlined the consensus achieved in four critical areas during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. The agreements, developed with observers from the United States and Malaysia, include a concrete action plan for withdrawing heavy weapons from border zones, standardized procedures for joint de-mining operations, and a coordinated strategy to combat cyber scams, which will involve the creation of a joint task force. In a separate meeting, the two parties also agreed to conduct a joint survey of the border region between Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province and Cambodia’s Bantheay Meanchey, an area that saw clashes between Thai police and Cambodian protesters last month. Additionally, Thailand has committed to building border fences in non-disputed areas.
Path to Peace and Prisoner Release
Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon emphasized that tangible progress in these agreed-upon areas is a prerequisite for a full cessation of hostilities. From the Cambodian side, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Seiha confirmed that these paves the way for the Sunday peace deal signing. He stated that the agreement reflects a “shared spirit of building mutual trust and confidence, and a firm commitment to improving relations and achieving a return to normalcy.” Furthermore, the formal signing of the peace agreement is expected to facilitate the release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been detained by Thailand since the July conflict.
