Thai-Cambodia ceasefire takes effect in wake of deadly fighting

• Reports coming from two sides confirm halt in cross-border fire

ISTANBUL

A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia took effect at the stroke of midnight local time Monday (1700GMT) after recent deadly fighting over a disputed border area.

The development came after Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an “immediate” and “unconditional” ceasefire following peace talks in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

The Thai military’s social media page confirmed that its forces have implemented a ceasefire across all operational sectors, according to the Thai Enquirer news outlet.

Cambodia’s Fresh News also confirmed there was no cross-border gunfire since the ceasefire took effect.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the ceasefire earlier in the day after hosting a meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand’s acting prime minister.

It came after armed conflict along the disputed border which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, including soldiers.

Following Anwar’s announcement, Thai Prime Minister Phumtham said the outcome of the talks in Kuala Lumpur “reflects Thailand’s desire for a peaceful resolution while continuing to protect our sovereignty and the lives of our people.”

“We agree to a ceasefire -- that it will be carried out successfully in good faith by both sides,” Phumtham said in Kuala Lumpur.

His Cambodian counterpart Hun called the meeting hosted by Anwar “very good,” saying it produced “very good results that hope to stop immediately the fighting that has cost many lives.”

Hun said some 300,000 people had been displaced on the two sides of the border in the past five days due to cross-border airstrikes and rocket fire, which killed many people and injured dozens of others.

The Southeast Asian neighbors have a border dispute along Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, with renewed tensions since May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand as a "positive step" toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions.

"The @UN stands ready to support efforts aimed at promoting peace & stability in the region," Guterres said on X.

*Diyar Guldogan from Washington, DC contributed to this report