Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to de-escalate tensions and implement a ceasefire effective at 12:00 PM on 27 December 2025 after the GBC meeting. A key condition is Thailand releasing 18 Cambodian soldiers detained in Thailand back to Cambodia. Meanwhile, both sides will maintain their current troop positions, and civilians on both sides will be allowed to pursue their livelihoods normally along the border. However, attention remains on whether the ceasefire agreement will be violated again.
According to the Joint Statement from the GBC meeting, Thailand and Cambodia will immediately cease fire from 12:00 PM on 27 December 2025, with details as follows.
1. Both sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire upon signing this Joint Statement, effective from 12:00 PM local time on 27 December 2025. This covers all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian objects, infrastructure, and any military targets on either side, in all cases and areas. Both sides must avoid firing, advancing, or moving troops toward the other’s positions without provocation. This agreement must not be violated under any circumstances.
2. Both sides agreed to maintain their current military deployments without any additional troop movements.
No troop movements will occur, including patrols toward the other side’s positions.
3. Both sides agreed that all provisions under this Joint Statement do not affect the determination of the international border and boundaries between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to submit the matter to the Joint Border Committee to promptly conduct surveys and re-flag border areas according to existing agreements to achieve lasting peace along the border. They agreed to use the Joint Border Committee’s mechanisms to ensure the safety of joint survey teams in the area, including safety from landmines. The Committee will prioritize surveying and marking the border in affected areas where civilians reside.
4. Both sides agreed to allow civilians living in affected border areas to return home and resume their normal livelihoods within their own territories promptly, without obstruction, safely, and with dignity.
5. Both sides agreed not to increase military forces along the Cambodia-Thailand border. Any reinforcement would escalate tensions and harm long-term efforts to resolve the situation.
6. Both sides agreed to refrain from any provocations that might increase tensions, including military activities infringing on each other’s airspace and territory or areas under the ceasefire agreement. Both sides agreed to cease construction or upgrading of any military infrastructure or fortifications beyond their own borders.
7. Both sides agreed not to use force against civilians or civilian objects under any circumstances. Such actions would endanger border communities, violate international law, and damage the global reputation of the offending party.
8. Both sides agreed to refrain from spreading false information or fake news to reduce tensions, alleviate public negativity, and promote an environment conducive to peaceful negotiations.
9. Both sides reaffirm their obligations under the Ottawa Convention banning the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines and their destruction. They will cooperate through the Joint Coordination Task Force (JCTF) on humanitarian mine clearance in accordance with mutually agreed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure timely progress in clearing mines along the border.
10. Both sides agreed to follow an operational plan for cooperation to prevent and suppress transnational crimes, including cyber fraud and human trafficking, between the Cambodian National Police and the Royal Thai Police. They reaffirm their commitment to strengthen cooperation to prevent online fraud, address misuse of digital platforms, and promote responsible and accurate information that fosters trust, security, and friendly relations.
11. In line with the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on 26 October 2025, the 18 Cambodian soldiers will be repatriated to Cambodia after the ceasefire has been fully maintained for 72 hours.
12. Both sides recognize the important role of the ASEAN Observers Team (AOT) and agree to enhance the AOT’s role by consulting with the ASEAN Chair and AOT to effectively monitor and verify the implementation of all measures in this Joint Statement.
13. To ensure effective implementation, both sides agreed to use the Cambodia-Thailand and Thailand-Cambodia Border Coordination Units to maintain the ceasefire, manage situations on the ground, promptly address incidents, and prevent miscalculations under the observation and monitoring of the ASEAN Observers Team.
14. Both sides will maintain direct and regular communication channels between their Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Defence Forces to respond to urgent situations that cannot be resolved locally. If necessary, senior representatives from both sides will meet to effectively resolve issues on the ground.
15. The Joint Coordination Task Force (JCTF) will inform relevant local agencies on their respective sides, including the other side’s JCTF, to be aware of and facilitate humanitarian mine clearance operations in critical border areas as per the mutually agreed operational plan, ensuring smooth operations without obstacles or misunderstandings.
16. Official media teams from both sides will maintain direct and regular communication to ensure effective prevention and management of false and distorted information. They will also guarantee transparency and accuracy of news and reports to build mutual trust.