Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire, stop troop movements
Thailand and Cambodia today agreed to a ceasefire involving all types of weapons and to refrain from further deployments and movements of troops along their common border which was a scene of recent fierce fighting.
Both sides also agreed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions.
The agreement was reached at the end of a four-day meeting of the special Thai-Cambodia General Border Committee hosted by Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Co-chaired the meeting were Defense minister Gen Natthaphon Narkpanich and his Cambodian counterpart, Tea Seiha, with United States and China as observers.
According to the agreement, both countries will implement the ceasefire and formation of ASEAN observer team led by Malaysia to verify and ensure its implementation as reached at the special meeting on July 28.
They agree to assign the Regional Border Committee (RBC) to carry out the implementation of the ceasefire coordinated and observed by ASEAN observer team.
The RBC will meet regularly and submit their reports to the GBC.
The Interim Observer Team (IOT) comprising Defence Attaches of ASEAN member states accredited to Thailand or Cambodia and led by the defence attaches of Malaysia will be established separately and independently in both countries to observe, on each side, the implementations of the ceasefire on a regular basis.
The composition of each country's IOT is independently invited by the host country in consultation with Malaysia.
The IOT will operate without crossing the border and will work in close coordination and consultation with the RBCs and GBC of each country.
They agreed as follows;
-Both sides agree to a ceasefire involving all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians and civilian objects and military objectives of either side, in all cases and all areas.
-Both sides must avoid unprovoked firing towards the other side's positions or troops. This agreement must not be violated under any circumstances.
- Both sides agree to maintain current troop deployments without further movement as it is at the time ceasefire reached at 24:00 hours (local time) on 28 July 2025. There shall be no troop movements including patrol towards the other side's position.
-Both sides agree not to increase forces along the entire Cambodia-Thailand border. Any reinforcement would heighten tensions and negatively affect long-term efforts to resolve the situation.
-Both sides agree not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions. This includes military activities to enter the other side's air space and territory or posions as of ceasefire from 24:00 hours (local time) on 28 July 2025.
-Both sides agree to refrain from constructing or enhancing any military infrastructure or fortifications beyond their own side.
-Both sides agree not to use any kind of forces against civilians and civilian objects in all circumstances. Such actions would not only endanger communities in the border areas but also violate international law and tarnish the global image of the non-compliant side.
-Both sides agree to comply with international humanitarian law in the treatment of captured soldiers, including their living conditions, shelter, food, and medical care in case of injury.
If one side wishes to bring in its own wounded soldiers or civilians who are not under the control of the other side for medical treatment, the receiving side may determine its response based on the capacity of its medical facilities, including available equipment, personnel, or medical ethics, on a case-by-case basis.
Captured soldiers shall be immediately released and repatriated after the cessation of active hostilities in accordance with Article 118 of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949 and Rule 128 (A) of the Customary International Humanitarian Law.
-Both sides agree to exchange information and facilitate the dignified and timely return of deceased individuals at an agreed location, in full respect of humanitarian principles and jurisdiction without crossing the border, and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to identify and manage the dead under sanitary and respectful conditions, thereby preventing the deceased from disappearing in death.
-In the event of an armed conflict, whether intentional or unintentional, both sides must promptly consult at the local level through existing bilateral mechanisms to prevent the situation from escalating along the entire border.
Prolonged conflict would endanger the safety of civilians and soldiers on both sides and heighten tensions, thereby complicating efforts toward a joint resolution.
In particular, both sides agree to:
-Maintain regular communications between all army areas and military regions and units along the border of both sides and strive to solve all issues peacefully and avoid clashes.
-Convene the Regional Border Committee (RBC) Meeting within two weeks after the Extraordinary GBC Meeting on 7 August 2025. The host will be determined in accordance with the regular hosting rotation.
-Maintain regular and direct lines of communication between ministers and Chiefs of Defense Forces level.
-Both sides agree to refrain from disseminating false information or fake news in order to de-escalate tensions, mitigate negative public sentiment, and foster an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue.