Top defence officials from Cambodia and Thailand reached a significant agreement on Thursday to allow ASEAN observers to monitor disputed border areas. This move is aimed at preventing the resumption of hostilities after a recent violent five-day conflict.
The agreement, seen as a step toward lasting peace, came after the worst escalation between the neighbours in more than a decade, resulting in at least 43 deaths and the displacement of over 300,000 people. The ASEAN observer mission, led by Malaysia, will operate from within each country but will not cross the border.
U.S. Pressure and ASEAN Mediation Paved the Way for Ceasefire and Lasting Peace Deal
Despite earlier diplomatic efforts by China and Malaysia to mediate the crisis, fighting had continued until the involvement of U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Reuters, Trump warned both nations that ongoing U.S. tariff negotiations would be suspended unless peace was achieved.
This ultimatum compelled the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand to come to the negotiating table. The breakthrough came during a meeting between Cambodia’s Defence Minister Tea Seiha and Thailand’s acting Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit at Malaysia’s Armed Forces headquarters.
At the press conference following the talks, Thailand’s Nattaphon Narkphanit explained that the ASEAN observer team would be made up of military attachés stationed in both countries.
The peace terms were carefully crafted over several days and finalized in the presence of observers from China and the U.S. Key provisions of the agreement include improved communication channels between the two armies and clear guidelines for implementing the ceasefire. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed the agreement on social media, signaling a commitment to sustained peace.
Ongoing Talks and Historical Tensions Shape Path Toward Long-Term Regional Peace
As part of the agreement, Cambodia and Thailand have committed to ongoing diplomatic engagement. They plan to hold further meetings in two weeks and again in a month to ensure progress and address any emerging issues.
These regular check-ins aim to reinforce trust between the two nations and give structure to the peace process. The collaborative tone in the joint statement reflects a growing recognition that both countries benefit from regional stability and peaceful coexistence.
The conflict between Cambodia and Thailand stems from longstanding disagreements over sections of their 817-kilometre (508-mile) shared border. The line was originally drawn by French colonial authorities in 1907 but remains undemarcated in several key areas, leading to repeated tensions.
Although border disputes have flared intermittently for decades, this latest escalation prompted unprecedented international involvement. With ASEAN’s mediation and global diplomatic pressure, the current agreement offers hope for a more stable future in the region.
