- A fragile truce between Thailand and Cambodia took effect on July 28, halting four days of deadly clashes that killed 38 people and displaced 300,000 civilians near their disputed border.
- The U.S. (led by President Trump), Malaysia and China pressured both sides to agree to the ceasefire, with Trump leveraging trade negotiations as an incentive for peace.
- Decades-long territorial disputes along the 800-km border reignited on July 24 after a landmine injured Thai soldiers, triggering artillery battles, airstrikes and diplomatic withdrawals.
- A meeting in Malaysia secured the unconditional ceasefire, praised by leaders as a step toward stability, while Trump claimed credit for resolving the conflict "through trade."
- Further military talks and ASEAN monitoring are planned, but analysts warn tensions persist, even as evacuees express cautious hope for lasting peace.
A fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia took effect on midnight Monday, July 28, following pressure from the United States.
The pause in hostilities followed four days of heavy fighting, which killed at least 38 people and displaced over 300,000 civilians near the disputed border. The breakthrough followed intensive diplomacy led by Malaysia, the U.S. and China – with U.S. President Donald Trump leveraging trade negotiations as an incentive for peace.
For decades, the 800-kilometer (500-mile) border between the Southeast Asian neighbors has been a flashpoint. Competing claims over territory between Bangkok and Phnom Penh have occasionally erupted into deadly clashes.
The latest violence – the most severe in over a decade – began last Thursday, July 24, after a landmine wounded Thai soldiers. This sparked artillery duels, airstrikes and accusations of aggression from both sides. Thailand recalled its ambassador, shut border crossings and brought its government to the brink of crisis. (Related: At least 14 dead, dozens wounded as Thailand-Cambodia border clash escalates.)
The turning point came after Trump warned both nations that the U.S. would halt trade talks unless hostilities ceased. A hastily arranged meeting in the city of Putrajaya, Malaysia's administrative capital, resulted in an agreement to halt fighting unconditionally starting at midnight Monday.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hailed the truce as a "vital first step" toward stability. Trump meanwhile boasted on Truth Social about ending the conflict "through trade." The real estate mogul even dubbed himself the "president of peace" – a remark White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt piled on with her remark about Trump deserving the Nobel Peace Prize.
Can this ceasefire last?
Historical context underscores the significance of the deal. Similar skirmishes in 2011 led to temporary ceasefires, but no lasting resolution. This time, however, international involvement – particularly from the Washington and Beijing – appears to have added pressure for compromise.
Cambodian Prime Minister (PM) Hun Manet credited Trump's mediation, noting that the ceasefire opens up an opportunity "to start rebuilding trust, confidence and cooperation." Meanwhile Thai Acting PM Phumtham Wechayacha said the outcome reflected the kingdom's "desire for a peaceful resolution." He added that trade discussions with Washington could now resume under favorable terms.
On the ground, evacuees expressed cautious hope. In Thailand's Sisaket province, shelled homes stood in ruins, while displacement camps overflowed with exhausted families.
Thai vendor Usa Dasri, relieved but wary, told reporters she longed to return to her farm. Across the border, Cambodian farmer Kong Sin vowed to wait. "If the ceasefire holds, I'll go back tomorrow," he said.
The agreement mandates further military talks and a border committee meeting next month, with the Association of South East Asian Nations playing a monitoring role. While analysts warn lingering tensions could reignite, the immediate cessation of violence offers respite – and a rare diplomatic victory in a region where territorial disputes often fester unresolved.
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Watch Cambodian Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for the country's Ministry of National Defense, reiterating Phnom Penh's intent to take its dispute with Thailand to the United Nations.
This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
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