Thailand and Cambodia announced a ceasefire effective yesterday evening, ending weeks of deadly border clashes that displaced over 500,000 civilians. The breakthrough came after former U.S. President Donald Trump facilitated negotiations between the two Southeast Asian nations through a series of high-level calls.
In a Truth Social post dated December 12, Trump revealed he had spoken with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, stating: "Both countries are ready for peace after this very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running conflict." Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was credited as a key mediator in the process.
The agreement follows intense fighting that reignited on December 7 near disputed border territories. Thai authorities reported 9 soldiers killed and 200,000 civilians displaced, while Cambodian officials confirmed 10 civilian fatalities and 300,000 evacuees. Cross-border artillery exchanges had persisted for five days before the truce took effect.
Analysts note this marks the third major ceasefire in the decades-long territorial dispute, though previous agreements have faltered. The United Nations has called for sustained dialogue to address root causes of the conflict.
