36 dead, 2 lakh displaced: Why Thailand & Cambodia just called for a ceasefire after 5 days of border clashes
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.
Cambodia and Thailand agree an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" with effect from midnight tonight.pic.twitter.com/XHxLNcoNrH
What triggered the recent border clashes?
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.
A message to my international friends, both Thai and Cambodia agreed to cease fire unconditionally effecting 12:00AM tonight GMT +7. I will still be off to provinces at 03:00AM tonight to donate to affect families.#JusticeForCambodia #CambodiaWantsPeace pic.twitter.com/axsCtELnkz
Malaysia steps in, backed by US and China
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.
I just had a very good call with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and informed him of my discussions with Thailand, and its Acting Prime Minister. Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace. They are also looking to get back to the 'Trading Table' with the…
What happens next?
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.
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Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Truce is called, cultural tussle remains: behind Thailand-Cambodia hostility
After days of deadly fighting, Cambodia and Thailand on Monday agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire'. The ceasefire was negotiated by Prime Ministers Hun Manet of Cambodia and Phumtham Wechayachai of Thailand at a meeting hosted by Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur. The clashes followed months of tensions over a century-old border dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbours. What is the history of this dispute, and what happens now? Tensions come to a boil Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand had been simmering since May, when they skirmished at a contested area of the border, leading to the death of a Cambodian soldier. Nationalist rhetoric in both countries and a series of tit-for-tat actions followed. Cambodia banned the import of Thai fruits and broadcast of Thai films and soap operas; Thailand closed all land crossings. Last Wednesday, Thailand withdrew its ambassador from Cambodia and expelled the Cambodian envoy after a Thai soldier lost a leg in a land mine blast. Thailand claimed the mine was laid by Cambodian troops in Thai territory. Cambodia responded by downgrading diplomatic relations and recalling all Cambodian staff from its embassy in Bangkok. Clashes broke out at half a dozen places along the border between the Thai provinces of Surin and Sisaket, and Cambodian provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear. On Thursday, Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military sites, and Cambodia responded with rocket and artillery fire. Exchanges of artillery and machine gun fire followed, in which at least 35 people were killed and more than 2.6 lakh civilians were displaced on both sides of the border, Reuters reported. Making of a conflict The 817-km land border between Cambodia and Thailand was drawn in 1907 by France, then the colonial power in Cambodia. Like many other borders drawn by colonial administrators, this too has long been disputed. The two predominantly Theravada-Buddhist neighbours are more alike than any other country in the region, sharing ethnic and linguistic ties, social norms, culinary traditions, and cultural activities. But both claim to be the 'original' owners of their heritage. This is what drives the animosity between them. The competing claims of cultural ownership are rooted in contesting readings of history, which, scholars say, are purposely propped up by governing elites of the two countries to strengthen their domestic positions. 'Countries fabricate history to celebrate their past, using nationalism as a political tool in the manipulation of public opinion… It is evident that contemporary Thai-Cambodian relations have become a casualty of the remade past,' wrote Charnvit Kasetsiri, Pou Sothirak and Pavin Chachavalpongpun in Preah Vihear: A Guide to the Thai-Cambodian Conflict and Its Solutions (2013). Every skirmish in the border thus has the potential to devolve into a much larger conflict. This has happened now, and earlier. Case of Preah Vihear At the centre of the border dispute is the Preah Vihear temple, which is called Phra Viharn in Thai. 'The temple has meaning — both as a cultural symbol and a religious place of worship — to people on both sides of the border,' John D Ciorciari, a professor of international politics at Indiana University, wrote in his 2009 paper 'Thailand and Cambodia: The Battle for Preah Vihear'. The temple was built in the 11th and 12th centuries during the golden age of the Khmer Empire, who at the time ruled much of South Asia, including Siam (Thailand). But beginning in the 15th century, as the Khmer Empire declined, Siam gradually chipped away at Cambodian territory. In 1867, Cambodia officially handed the area around Preah Vihear to Siam. But by this time, France had entered the picture. After colonising Cambodia and Laos, it reduced the Siamese kingdom to a weak position in the neighbourhood. Siam and France signed a treaty in 1904 that said the northern frontier of Cambodia would run along the watershed line of the Dangrek Mountains. While this principle would put most of the Preah Vihear complex in Siam, the official map, drawn by the French in 1907, put the temple in Cambodia. Siam's objections were muted then — but in 1941, after entering into an alliance with Japan, it seized Preah Vihear, only to return it to France at the end of World War II. After Cambodia's independence, Thai troops once again occupied Preah Vihear in 1954. Cambodia moved the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in 1962 upheld its claim over Preah Vihear. But this did not put the issue to bed. Tensions flared up in 2008 after Cambodia sought to list the Preah Vihear temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Thai opposition used the issue to attack the government, accusing it of 'forfeiting Thai dignity and sovereignty', Ciorciari wrote. Cambodian leaders too used the issue to rally nationalist sentiment in the country. Over the next several years, Cambodian and Thai troops frequently skirmished at the border. In 2013, the ICJ re-affirmed Cambodia's position vis-à-vis Preah Vihear, creating a demilitarised zone around the temple, although this was never implemented. Thailand has since rejected the ICJ's jurisdiction. What happens now Preah Vihear temple is the most famous of many disputed sites at the Cambodia-Thailand border which hold cultural significance for both countries. Another such temple, called Prasat Ta Moan Thom by the Cambodians and Prasat Ta Muen Thom by the Thai, witnessed fighting during the recent hostilities. The ceasefire does not fundamentally address issues of cultural inheritance and ownership. It will take a lot more to bring down temperatures in both countries, and for them to permanently iron out the border issue. For the time being, however, analysts expect an uneasy peace to hold. This is primarily because of pressure from outside, notably China and the United States, both of whom oversaw the negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. In fact, the talks were held after US President Donald Trump set the two countries agreeing to a ceasefire as a precondition to their respective trade talks with Washington.
The Hindu
27 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Thailand army accuses Cambodia of breaking truce
Thailand's army accused Cambodia on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) of violating an hours-old truce, saying clashes continued despite a deal meant to end the bloody fighting that has engulfed their jungle-clad frontier. Following peace talks in Malaysia on Monday (July 28, 2025), both sides agreed an unconditional ceasefire would start at midnight to end fighting over a smattering of ancient temples in disputed zones along their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border. 'At the time the agreement took effect, the Thai side detected that Cambodian forces had launched armed attacks into several areas within Thai territory,' said Thailand army spokesman Winthai Suwaree. 'This constitutes a deliberate violation of the agreement and a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust, he added in a statement. 'Thailand is compelled to respond appropriately, exercising its legitimate right to self-defense.' In Cambodia's Samraong city — 20 kilometres from the border — an AFP journalist said the sound of blasts stopped in the 30 minutes leading up to midnight, with the lull continuing until dawn. 'The frontline has eased since the ceasefire at 12 midnight,' Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Tuesday morning message on Facebook. Jets, rockets and artillery have killed at least 38 people since last Thursday (July 24, 2025) and displaced nearly 300,000 more -- prompting intervention from US President Donald Trump over the weekend. The flare-up was the deadliest since violence raged sporadically from 2008-2011 over the territory, claimed by both because of a vague demarcation made by Cambodia's French colonial administrators in 1907. The peace deal was set to see military commanders from both sides meet at 07:00 a.m. (0000 GMT), before a cross-border committee is convened in Cambodia to further salve tensions on August 4. 'When I heard the news I was so happy because I miss my home and my belongings that I left behind,' Phean Neth told AFP on Monday evening at a sprawling camp for Cambodian evacuees on a temple site away from the fighting. 'I am so happy that I can't describe it,' said the 45-year-old. 'Good faith' A joint statement from both countries -- as well as Malaysia which hosted the peace talks -- said the ceasefire was 'a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security'. A spokesman for U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement Monday evening that 'he urges both countries to respect the agreement fully and to create an environment conducive to addressing long-standing issues and achieving lasting peace'. Both sides are courting Mr. Trump for trade deals to avert his threat of eye-watering tariffs, and the US State Department said its officials had been 'on the ground' to shepherd peace talks. The joint statement said China also had 'active participation' in the talks, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN bloc chair Anwar Ibrahim in his country's administrative capital Putrajaya. Mr. Hun Manet thanked Mr. Trump for his 'decisive' support, while his counterpart, Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, said it should be 'carried out in good faith by both sides'. 'If they say they'll stop firing, they must stop completely,' said 43-year-old Thai evacuee Prapakarn Samruamjit in the city of Surin. Post-truce tariff deals Thailand King Maha Vajiralongkorn marked his 73rd birthday on Monday (July 28, 2025), but a notice in the country's Royal Gazette said public celebrations scheduled for Bangkok's Grand Palace had been cancelled amid the strife. Each side had already agreed to a truce in principle, while accusing the other of undermining peace efforts and trading allegations about the use of cluster bombs and targeting of hospitals. Thailand says 11 of its soldiers and 14 civilians have been killed, while Cambodia has confirmed only eight civilian and five military deaths. More than 138,000 people have fled Thailand's border regions, while around 140,000 have been driven from their homes in Cambodia.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Parliament News Live Updates: Discussion on Operation Sindoor to continue today; PM Modi, Amit Shah address likely
29 Jul 2025 | 06:27:14 AM IST As Parliament continues its discussion on Operation Sindoor, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the Lok Sabha today between 12:00 to 1:00 pm, followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected speech in the evening, ANI has reported citing a government source. As the Parliament continues its discussion on Operation Sindoor, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver his speech in the evening, according to a government source said that Home Minister Amit Shah will address the Lok Sabha between 12:00 to 1:00 pm on Lok Sabha on Monday afternoon began discussion on 'India's strong, successful and decisive Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The debate was initiated by Defence Minister Rajnath Defence Minister, while speaking in the Lower House, said, "The objective of Operation Sindoor was not to cross the border or capture the territory, it was to eliminate terror nurseries which Pakistan had nurtured for years, and provide justice to the innocent families who lost their loved ones in cross-border attacks."According to a statement from the Defence Ministry, he termed Pakistan-sponsored terrorism as not "Random Madness", but a "well-planned strategy" and a "fundamental rage", emphasising that the overall politico-military objective of Operation Sindoor was to punish Pakistan for fighting a proxy war in the form of asserted that, during Operation Sindoor, India not only demonstrated its military capability, but also its national resolve, morality and political acumen, stressing that New Delhi will give a decisive and clear answer to any terrorist attack."Those who provide shelter and support to terrorism will not be spared. India is not going to bow down to any kind of nuclear blackmailing or other pressures," he said. Show more Thailand's army accused Cambodia of violating the countries' truce agreement on Tuesday, saying clashes continued despite a deal to pause combat along their jungle frontier."After a ceasefire had been declared, disturbances were reported in the Phu Makua area caused by the Cambodian side, leading to an exchange of fire between both sides that continued until morning," Thai army deputy spokesman Ritcha Suksuwanon said in a statement. "In addition, clashes also occurred in the Sam Taet area and continued until 5:30 am (2230 GMT)." Oil extended gains on Tuesday, lifted by hopes of improved economic activity after the U.S.-EU trade deal, a potential U.S.-China tariff truce and President Donald Trump's shorter deadline for Russia to end the Ukraine crude futures were up 24 cents, or 0.34%, to $70.28 a barrel by 0000 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $66.93 a barrel, up 22 cents, or 0.33%.Both contracts settled more than 2% higher in the previous session, and Brent touched its highest level since July 18 on Monday. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will visit Japan on Tuesday for talks with his counterpart and then travel to the United States for a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korea's foreign ministry said. Heavy rains in the Chinese capital Beijing have killed 30 people and prompted authorities to evacuate 80,000, state media said Tuesday. As the Parliament continues its discussion on Operation Sindoor, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver his speech in the evening, according to source said that Home Minister Amit Shah will address the Lok Sabha between 12:00 to 1:00 pm on Tuesday.
