A ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia has been reached in Malaysia, following days of violence that left dozens dead. The two countries have long disputed their shared border, with the issue dating back to French colonial powers mapping out the borders over a century ago.
Both nations claim ownership of Preah Vihear, an 11th-century Hindu temple on the border, which was ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962 to fall within Cambodia’s sovereignty. However, Thailand rejects this ruling and continues to dispute the border.
The latest violence broke out when a mine explosion killed five Thai soldiers last week. The incident sparked a series of clashes between the two countries, with each side blaming the other for escalation. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is also Hun Manet’s father, took steps to address tensions by meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese officials.
The ceasefire agreement comes after Trump threatened both leaders with higher tariffs if fighting continued. The deal marks a vital first step towards de-escalation and restoration of peace in the region. Analysts see the dispute as a test of which superpower has more influence in Southeast Asia, with the U.S. and China engaging in a bid for regional dominance.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/28/nx-s1-5482345/cambodia-thailand-ceasefire-talks