Chanthaburi province, THAILAND, 27 Dec. - (ANA) - Thailand and Cambodia agreed an “immediate” ceasefire on Saturday, pledging to end weeks of deadly border clashes, the two governments said in a joint statement.

 

At least 48 people have been killed and displacing hundreds of thousands of others during three weeks of fighting involving artillery, tanks, drones and fighter jets.

 

The conflict spread to almost every border province on both sides, shattering an earlier truce for which Donald Trump, the US president, had claimed credit.

 

“Both sides agree to an immediate ceasefire after the time of signature of this Joint Statement with effect from 12:00 hours noon (local time) on December 27, 2025,” the agreement, signed by the two countries’ defence ministers, said.

 

The ceasefire applies to “all types of weapons”, including attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and military targets, and covers all areas along the border.

 

Both sides also agreed to freeze troop movements, allow displaced civilians to return home as soon as possible, and cooperate on demining operations and efforts to combat cybercrime.

 

The agreement follows three days of border talks announced after an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both countries are members. The United States, China and Malaysia also pressed for an end to the fighting.

 

The conflict stems from a long-running territorial dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of the two countries’ 800-kilometre border, where several ancient temples are claimed by both sides.

 

Five days of fighting in July killed dozens before a ceasefire brokered by the US, China and Malaysia, which later collapsed.

 

Each side has blamed the other for triggering the latest violence and accused its rival of targeting civilians.

 

Thai officials said at least 25 soldiers and one civilian had been killed, while Cambodia reported 21 civilian deaths and no military casualties, despite funeral ceremonies held for fallen troops.

 

Fighting continued as recently as Friday, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of intensifying bombardments and Thai media reporting overnight Cambodian attacks.

 

Those territorial disputes remain unresolved and will have to be addressed following the ceasefire.

 

Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand’s prime minister, struck an optimistic tone on Friday night, saying defence ministers from both countries would meet to finalise the truce.

 

“You can trust Thailand. We always uphold our agreements and commitments,” he said. “Let this be the final signing, so that peace can be restored and our people can return home.”

 

Thailand is due to hold general elections on February 8.   - (ANA) - 

 

AB/ANA/27 December 2025 - - -