After five days of deadly conflict, the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire has brought calm to the disputed border area, allowing displaced civilians to begin returning home. Military commanders from both nations held talks on Tuesday, reinforcing a truce that halted the worst fighting between the neighbors in over a decade.
Ceasefire Reached After Malaysia Talks
The ceasefire followed a high-level meeting in Malaysia on Monday, hosted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The agreement ended days of artillery exchanges and ground skirmishes that left at least 40 people dead — most of them civilians — and displaced over 300,000 on both sides of the border.
Despite early morning reports on Tuesday of new attacks by Cambodian troops in at least five areas, Thai army spokesman Major Gen. Winthai Suvaree confirmed that senior military officers met directly at the border to stabilize the situation.
Commanders Agree to Stop Troop Movement
Key negotiations took place between Thailand’s second region army, responsible for the conflict-hit frontier, and its Cambodian counterpart. According to Winthai, the two sides agreed to strictly enforce the ceasefire, freeze troop movement, and allow for the recovery and return of both the wounded and deceased.
“Each side will establish a coordinating team of four to resolve any problems,” said Winthai, signaling a structured effort to prevent future flare-ups.
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Calm Returns to Border Towns
Back in Bangkok, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed that the situation on the border had stabilized. After returning from Kuala Lumpur, where the ceasefire deal was finalized, Phumtham told reporters, “There is no escalation. Right now things are calm.”
In Cambodia, Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata echoed that sentiment during a Tuesday briefing. She stated that no new clashes had been reported along the border.
As a sign of returning normalcy, traffic and daily life resumed in Thailand’s Kantharalak district, located about 30 kilometers from the frontlines. Shops reopened, and civilians cautiously resumed work and routines after days of uncertainty.
Civilians Begin to Return
Chaiya Phumjaroen, a 51-year-old shop owner in Kantharalak, reopened his store on Tuesday morning. “I am very happy that a ceasefire happened,” he said. “If they continue to fight, we have no opportunity to make money.”
Across the border in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, hundreds of families who had fled to temporary shelters began preparing to return home. Among them was Ly Kim Eng, a 63-year-old who sat outside a tarpaulin shelter, waiting for official confirmation of safety.
“If the authorities announce it is safe for all of the refugees to return home, I would immediately return,” he said.
Unresolved Tensions Remain
While the ceasefire has paused hostilities, the root causes of the border conflict remain unresolved. Both countries have long disputed segments of their shared boundary, and prior clashes in 2008 and 2011 had similar patterns — short bursts of violence followed by temporary truces.
Analysts warn that without deeper political solutions and mutual agreements on territorial claims, the possibility of renewed violence remains.
Still, the latest ceasefire has offered relief to civilians caught in the crossfire. Local leaders, shopkeepers, and displaced families now look to both governments for longer-term peace.
As calm prevails for now, efforts to reinforce the truce — including establishing joint coordination teams and keeping communication open — will be critical in preventing another descent into violence.
As humanitarian aid begins flowing into the affected regions, local officials are coordinating relief efforts to support returning families. Mobile clinics and food distribution centers have been set up along the border. Residents, while cautious, express hope that peace will hold this time.
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