BANGKOK, DEC 27: Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire agreement on Saturday to end weeks of armed clashes along their disputed border, with the truce taking effect at noon local time.
The agreement prohibits further military movements by either nation and bans airspace violations for military purposes. Thailand had been the only side conducting airstrikes during the conflict, including operations as recently as Saturday morning, according to Cambodia’s defence ministry.
A key provision of the deal requires Thailand to release 18 Cambodian soldiers held as prisoners since fighting erupted in July, provided the ceasefire holds for 72 hours. The repatriation of these soldiers has been a central demand from the Cambodian side throughout negotiations.
The ceasefire marks a significant de-escalation in the border dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, which had seen weeks of armed combat over competing territorial claims.
