A Cambodian soldier died in a border firefight on May 28. Within two months, the countries were exchanging artillery fire and airstrikes across a dozen locations. Three ceasefires later—brokered by Malaysia, pressured by Trump, witnessed by ASEAN—over 100 people are dead and a million displaced. The latest truce, signed December 27, holds the same promise as the ones before it.
The fight is over an 800-kilometer border that's been disputed since French colonial mapmakers drew lines that didn't match the terrain. The temple of Preah Vihear sits at the center—a thousand-year-old ruin the International Court of Justice awarded to Cambodia in 1962, leaving the surrounding land ambiguous enough to keep armies mobilized for decades.
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People Involved
Hun Manet
Prime Minister of Cambodia (Leading Cambodia's war effort and ceasefire negotiations)
Hun Sen
Senate President of Cambodia (former Prime Minister) (Power behind the throne, triggered Thai political crisis)
Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Former Prime Minister of Thailand (Removed from office August 2025 over leaked phone call)
Anutin Charnvirakul
Current Prime Minister of Thailand (Caretaker PM campaigning on nationalist surge from border conflict)
Donald Trump
President of the United States (Leveraged trade threats to broker ceasefires)
Anwar Ibrahim
Prime Minister of Malaysia (Leading ASEAN mediation efforts as rotating chair)
Natthaphon Narkphanit
Defense Minister of Thailand (Signed December 27 ceasefire agreement)
Tea Seiha
Defense Minister of Cambodia (Signed December 27 ceasefire agreement)
Organizations Involved
AS
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Regional Intergovernmental Organization
Status: Deploying observer teams while China offers alternative mediation framework
Ten-nation bloc that's struggled to enforce peace between two of its members.
IN
International Court of Justice
UN Judicial Body
Status: Previously ruled on Preah Vihear, jurisdiction contested
UN's highest court ruled on the temple in 1962 but left land disputes unresolved.
PE
People's Republic of China
Government Ministry
Status: Emerging as alternative mediator to ASEAN and US
Beijing positioning itself as power broker in Southeast Asian security disputes.
Timeline
China Hosts Trilateral Mediation Talks in Beijing
Diplomatic
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts Thai FM Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Cambodian FM Prak Sokhonn in Yunnan for two-day talks. China offers to help ASEAN monitor ceasefire, announces $2.8 million humanitarian aid for displaced Cambodians.
Third Ceasefire Takes Effect
Diplomatic
Defense ministers sign agreement. Troop freeze, POW release in 72 hours if ceasefire holds, ASEAN monitors.
Landmine Incident Hours After Ceasefire
Military
Thai soldier permanently injured by anti-personnel mine. Thailand accuses Cambodia of laying new mines; Cambodia says they're civil war remnants. First test of ceasefire compliance.
US Secretary of State Urges Compliance
Diplomatic
Marco Rubio welcomes ceasefire, urges both countries to "immediately honor this commitment and fully implement the terms of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords."
Anwar Ibrahim Welcomes Ceasefire
Diplomatic
Malaysian PM and ASEAN chair welcomes agreement, urges both sides to maintain restraint during monitoring period.
Death Toll Reaches 96
Casualty Report
Eighteen days of fighting. Nearly one million displaced on both sides.
Emergency Talks Begin Despite Ongoing Clashes
Diplomatic
Defense ministers meet while fighting continues. Cambodia accuses Thailand of bombarding villages.
Thailand Sets Election Date: February 8, 2026
Political
Election Commission confirms February 8 vote following Anutin's December 12 parliament dissolution. Results to be announced April 9.
Fighting Resumes After Two-Month Truce
Military
Both sides accuse each other of ceasefire violations. Clashes erupt along border.
Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord Signed
Diplomatic
Comprehensive ceasefire at ASEAN Summit. Trump and Anwar witness. POW release provisions included.
Anutin Elected Prime Minister
Political
Parliament elects Anutin with 311 votes. Promises elections within four months.
Paetongtarn Officially Removed
Political
Constitutional Court rules 6-3 to dismiss PM over Hun Sen phone call.
ASEAN Observer Teams Established
Diplomatic
Both sides sign Terms of Reference for ASEAN monitoring team led by Malaysia's defense chief.
First Ceasefire: Putrajaya Agreement
Diplomatic
Emergency talks in Malaysia produce ceasefire after five days of fighting. ASEAN, US, China support.
Trump Threatens Trade Consequences
Diplomatic
US President calls both leaders, threatens to withhold trade agreements unless fighting stops.
Fighting Erupts Across 12 Border Locations
Military
Gunfire, artillery, rockets exchanged. Thai airstrikes target Cambodian positions near Ta Muen Thom temple.
Thai Patrol Hits Landmine
Military
Five soldiers injured in Ubon Ratchathani. Thailand accuses Cambodia of laying new mines, recalls ambassador.
Thai PM Suspended by Court
Political
Constitutional Court suspends Paetongtarn over ethics violations in phone call.
Hun Sen Leaks Recording
Political
9-minute excerpt published. Paetongtarn heard calling military commander unhelpful, asking Hun Sen for sympathy.
Paetongtarn's Phone Call With Hun Sen
Political
Thai PM calls Cambodian Senate President to discuss peace. Hun Sen secretly records the 17-minute conversation.
Cambodia says it will file complaint with International Court of Justice. Thailand rejects ICJ jurisdiction.
Cambodia Deploys Elite Troops to Border
Military
Cambodia moved significant forces including artillery toward border in response to soldier's death.
Border Firefight Kills Cambodian Soldier
Military
Thai and Cambodian forces exchanged gunfire at Chong Bok near Laos triborder. One Cambodian soldier killed.
Scenarios
1
Ceasefire Holds, Border Demarcation Process Begins
Discussed by: The Diplomat, South China Morning Post
The December ceasefire survives its first 72 hours, Thailand releases the 18 Cambodian POWs, and ASEAN observers successfully monitor compliance. Both countries agree to International Court of Justice mediation or a joint border demarcation commission to finally resolve the territorial ambiguity left by colonial-era maps. Thailand's January elections produce a government with a mandate to negotiate. Key indicator: ASEAN observer reports showing zero violations for two consecutive weeks. This requires political will from both sides and active US-ASEAN pressure to maintain momentum.
2
Ceasefire Collapses, Fighting Spreads Along Entire Border
Discussed by: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Britannica analysis
Like the July and October agreements, the December ceasefire fails within weeks. An incident—another landmine, a patrol crossing disputed territory, nationalist pressure from domestic politics—triggers renewed fighting. This time it spreads beyond the dozen previous flashpoints to the full 800-kilometer border. Regional powers including China and the US deploy more robust diplomatic pressure or sanctions. ASEAN's credibility as a regional security organization collapses. Key trigger: Either side claims a ceasefire violation during Thailand's January-February election period when nationalist rhetoric peaks.
3
Limited War, Then International Intervention Forces Settlement
Discussed by: Strategic analysts comparing to Cenepa War 1995
The conflict escalates into sustained conventional warfare with significant casualties and regional destabilization. Major powers—particularly the US and China, who have competing interests in Southeast Asia—impose economic consequences harsh enough to force both sides to accept binding international arbitration. A peacekeeping force from ASEAN or UN deploys to enforce a demilitarized buffer zone. Like the Ecuador-Peru conflict that produced the 1998 Brasília Accord, this results in a permanent settlement but only after the costs become unbearable. Key indicator: Fighting lasts more than 30 consecutive days with over 500 casualties.
4
Frozen Conflict Becomes the New Normal
Discussed by: Comparison to India-Pakistan Line of Control, analysis by Lowy Institute
Neither side wins militarily or accepts binding arbitration. The border becomes a permanent militarized zone with periodic flare-ups, occasional casualties, and routine ceasefire violations that never escalate into full war. Both countries maintain large troop deployments indefinitely. ASEAN observer missions become permanent fixtures. Border communities remain displaced for years. Like Kashmir's Line of Control, the dispute becomes a frozen conflict that defines the region for decades. This scenario requires both sides to conclude they can't win but also refuse to compromise.
5
China Displaces ASEAN and US as Primary Mediator
Discussed by: South China Morning Post, Council on Foreign Relations analysts
Beijing's December 28 trilateral talks signal China positioning itself as the region's power broker. If ASEAN monitoring fails again, China offers an alternative framework with enforcement mechanisms ASEAN lacks—backed by economic leverage over both countries. Thailand and Cambodia accept a China-mediated settlement that permanently resolves the border but increases Beijing's influence in mainland Southeast Asia at Washington's expense. Key indicator: China deploys its own observers alongside or replacing ASEAN teams, or offers major infrastructure deals contingent on peace.
Historical Context
Thailand-Cambodia Clashes Over Preah Vihear (2008-2011)
2008-2011
What Happened
After Cambodia registered Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, nationalist protests erupted in Thailand. Within a week, hundreds of soldiers from both countries stationed near the temple. Sporadic firefights between October 2008 and April 2011 killed at least 34 people. ASEAN's Secretary-General classified it as "open conflict."
Outcome
Short Term
Multiple ceasefires brokered, all eventually violated. Fighting continued intermittently for three years.
Long Term
Cambodia brought a second case to the ICJ in 2013 to clarify the 1962 ruling on surrounding land. Neither country fully demarcated the border. Tensions remained until 2025 flare-up.
Why It's Relevant Today
Same temple, same unresolved territorial ambiguity, same pattern of broken ceasefires. History suggests agreements without enforcement mechanisms don't last.
Cenepa War: Ecuador-Peru Border Conflict (1995)
January-February 1995
What Happened
Ecuador and Peru fought for five weeks over territory disputed since a 1942 treaty. Multiple ceasefire attempts failed before the Itamaraty Agreement took effect February 28. Both sides claimed victory. A multinational observer mission (MOMEP) from guarantor countries—Argentina, Brazil, Chile, USA—monitored the truce.
Outcome
Short Term
Ceasefire held with international monitors present. Casualties: dozens killed, significant military equipment destroyed.
Long Term
Three years of mediation produced the 1998 Brasília Presidential Act, permanently settling the border. Required sustained diplomatic pressure and economic incentives from guarantor nations.
Why It's Relevant Today
Shows that monitored ceasefires can work but require years of follow-up diplomacy. ASEAN's observer role mirrors MOMEP, but lacks enforcement power or guarantee structure.
Kargil War: India-Pakistan Border Conflict (1999)
May-July 1999
What Happened
Pakistani forces infiltrated Indian-controlled Kashmir, triggering two months of fighting. International pressure mounted as India advanced. President Clinton refused to intervene until Pakistan withdrew from Indian territory. Ceasefire declared late July after US diplomatic pressure and threat of broader war.
Outcome
Short Term
Pakistan withdrew forces, suffering military and diplomatic defeat. Hundreds killed on both sides.
Long Term
No permanent settlement. Line of Control remained disputed. India-Pakistan tensions continued with 2001-02 military standoff, though a 2003 LoC ceasefire reduced daily violations.
Why It's Relevant Today
Demonstrates that US pressure can halt fighting but doesn't resolve underlying territorial disputes. Trump's trade threats worked twice in 2025 but haven't produced lasting peace.
