36 dead, 2 lakh displaced: Why Thailand & Cambodia just called for a ceasefire after 5 days of border clashes

After five days of intense fighting along their disputed border, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an unconditional and immediate ceasefire. The announcement was made by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who hosted the mediation talks in Putrajaya on July 28. The clashes, which left at least 36 people dead and over 200,000 displaced, marked the deadliest bout of violence between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in more than a decade.

Both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai were present at the talks, along with ambassadors from China and the US. The ceasefire agreement, effective from midnight on July 28, was reached following intervention from multiple regional and international players, including US President Donald Trump.


The fighting between Thailand and Cambodia broke out on July 24, escalating quickly with reports of heavy artillery and Thai airstrikes. While both sides accused each other of starting the conflict, tensions had already been rising since a Cambodian soldier was killed during a skirmish in late May.

The two countries share an 817-km border, with several stretches. Disputes over ancient temples—especially the 11th-century Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom—have long strained relations. The International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia in 1962, but a fresh wave of tension erupted in 2008 when Cambodia sought to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Skirmishes since then have led to deaths on both sides.

Cambodia has denied Thai claims of targeting civilians, accusing Thailand of putting innocent lives at risk. On the other hand, Thailand has said Cambodia escalated the conflict, leading to the deaths of 13 Thai civilians and 8 Cambodians.


Malaysia offered to mediate once the border conflict intensified. The mediation effort was supported by both China and the US. Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim invited both Thai and Cambodian leaders to his official residence in Putrajaya. US President Donald Trump also played a crucial role, speaking to both leaders and warning that no trade deals would be signed unless the conflict ended.

Hun Manet confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the meeting was held to reach a ceasefire, which had been “initiated by US President Donald Trump” and agreed to by both governments. Malaysia, which currently chairs the ASEAN bloc, hosted the talks with an aim to restore stability in the region.

Anwar told reporters that the leaders had “expressed their positions and willingness” for a ceasefire, describing it as a “vital first step” toward de-escalation and a return to peace.


Despite the ceasefire announcement, both Thailand and Cambodia reported clashes in some border areas even on the day of the agreement. Hun Manet described the outcome of the talks as “a condition for moving forward for our bilateral discussion to return to normalcy of the relationship.”

While Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice to step in, Thailand continues to prefer a bilateral approach and has not recognised the court’s jurisdiction. The fundamental disagreements over the historical boundary lines remain unresolved.

The latest violence serves as a reminder of how quickly long-standing territorial disputes can spiral into deadly conflict. Whether this ceasefire holds depends on how sincerely both governments follow through with diplomatic talks in the days ahead.