Thailand and Cambodia Sign Ceasefire, Agree to Release Prisoners

At a Glance

• Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire on Saturday, ending weeks of border fighting.
• The deal includes a 72-hour pause, release of 18 Cambodian soldiers, and joint demining.
• Only Thailand has carried out airstrikes on Cambodian sites as recently as Saturday morning.
• Why it matters: The agreement could stabilize the region and protect civilians.

Thailand and Cambodia ended a prolonged clash along their disputed border when defense ministers signed a ceasefire agreement on Saturday. The pact, effective at noon, sets a 72-hour halt to hostilities and outlines steps to release prisoners and clear mines.

Ceasefire Agreement

Defense ministers Tea Seiha and Nattaphon Narkphanit signed the accord at a border checkpoint after three days of lower-level talks. The agreement calls for a halt to military movements and airspace violations, and requires Thailand to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers after the ceasefire has held for 72 hours.

• 72-hour ceasefire effective at noon
• Release of 18 Cambodian soldiers
• Joint demining operations
• Ban on false information
• Resumption of border demarcation
• Cooperation against transnational crime

International Reactions

World leaders welcomed the deal. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said:

> “We welcome the ceasefire announcement and urge Cambodia and Thailand to fully honor it.” – Marco Rubio

> “The ceasefire is a positive step toward alleviating the suffering of civilians, ending hostilities, and creating an environment conducive to lasting peace,” – Antonio Guterres

> “The new agreement reflects a shared recognition that restraint is required, above all in the interest of civilians,” – Anwar Ibrahim

> “The safe return of civilians to their homes would indicate the situation had stabilized enough to allow the repatriation of the captured Cambodian soldiers.” – Surasant Kongsiri

> “The new agreement includes key provisions on joint humanitarian demining operations to ensure safety of military personnel and civilians in the border areas as soon as possible.” – Thailand Foreign Ministry

Humanitarian and Security Measures

The pact obliges both sides to adhere to international land-mine agreements and to refrain from spreading false information. Thailand has reported 26 soldiers and one civilian killed since Dec. 7, while Cambodia reports 30 civilians killed and 90 injured. Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated on both sides.

Key Takeaways

• The ceasefire is active from noon and lasts 72 hours.
• 18 Cambodian soldiers are to be released after the pause.
• Joint demining and anti-false-information clauses aim to protect civilians.

The agreement marks a significant step toward peace, but its durability will depend on both sides honoring the 72-hour ceasefire and subsequent actions.