Thailand and Cambodia have reached a landmark agreement to implement an immediate ceasefire starting midnight on July 28, 2025, following mediation efforts led by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The breakthrough comes after escalating tensions along their shared border, with ASEAN playing a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue.
At a joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar outlined a four-phase de-escalation plan: 1) Ceasefire enforcement, 2) Military commander meetings on July 29, 3) ASEAN-monitored defense talks, and 4) A General Border Committee summit in Cambodia by August 4. "This agreement reflects our shared commitment to regional stability through dialogue," Anwar stated.
The Malaysian leader emphasized ASEAN's ongoing role, stating: "As current chair, Malaysia will coordinate observer teams to verify compliance. This collective effort demonstrates Southeast Asia's capacity to resolve conflicts through multilateral frameworks."
Key components include:
Resumption of direct communication between prime ministers
Joint security monitoring mechanisms
Timeline-bound confidence-building measures
Analysts suggest this agreement could strengthen ASEAN's conflict resolution credentials while creating favorable conditions for cross-border trade revival. Business groups have welcomed the development, noting the Thailand-Cambodia border handles over $6 billion in annual commerce.
