Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after weeks of deadly border fighting, halting hostilities and offering hope for peace. 

After weeks of intense clashes along their long-disputed border, the governments of Thailand and Cambodia signed a formal ceasefire agreement on December 27, 2025, that took effect at noon local time. The accord mandates a halt to all military actions, including artillery, airstrikes, and troop movements, in an effort to stem the violence that erupted earlier this month. 

The border conflict, which erupted amid long-standing territorial tensions involving contested areas and historic temple sites, resulted in dozens of deaths on both sides and displaced well over one million civilians from border regions. 

The agreement, signed by both nations’ defense ministers at a border checkpoint, calls for cooperation in demining efforts, combating cybercrime, and safeguarding civilians’ safe return to their homes as soon as possible. 

A key element of the ceasefire stipulates that Thailand will release 18 captured Cambodian soldiers once the truce is upheld for 72 hours, reinforcing confidence in the agreement’s implementation. 

Observance of the ceasefire will be monitored by ASEAN observers and will include ongoing diplomatic engagements between the two countries, including future trilateral talks with China aimed at solidifying long-term stability along their shared frontier.

Despite this development, analysts warn that the ceasefire’s durability remains fragile, given the deep-rooted nature of the border dispute and previous breakdowns of temporary truces in the region.