A Fragile 72-Hour Truce: Thailand and Cambodia Pause Three-Week Border Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire after three weeks of conflict. Defense Minister Natthaphon emphasized that the truce is not based on trust.
They've shaken hands, but their fists remain clenched. Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire on Saturday, marking a desperate pause in three weeks of deadly border clashes. This brief respite comes after a previous mediation attempt involving U.S. President Donald Trump fell apart, leaving the region on edge.
Diplomacy Amidst Deep Distrust
According to Reuters, the agreement was reached during a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Thailand's Chanthaburi province on December 27, 2025. Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit and his Cambodian counterpart, Tea Seiha, met to de-escalate the violence that has ravaged remote villages near a disputed ancient Khmer temple.
It is not an act of trust, nor an unconditional acceptance.
Natthaphon's words reflect the razor-thin margin for error. The conflict has forced thousands of residents to flee and strained ASEAN's diplomatic credibility, as previous foreign ministers' meetings ended without a breakthrough.
The Election Factor
The timing of the ceasefire is critical as Thailand prepares for an early election in February. Domestic politics are heavily influencing the military standoff, with figures like Anutin Charnvirakul using military nationalism to bolster their campaigns. For Cambodia, the stability of the border remains a core sovereignty issue that they aren't willing to compromise on.
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