Thailand, Cambodia hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia amid border clashes
Al Jazeera2 days
Thailand, Cambodia Agree to Unconditional Ceasefire
Above: Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (C), Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (L), and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (R) after ceasefire talks in Putrajaya on July 28, 2025. Image copyright: Mohd Rasfan/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This ceasefire represents a crucial diplomatic victory that prevents further civilian casualties and regional destabilization. Trump's decisive intervention, threatening to halt trade negotiations unless fighting stopped, forced both nations to prioritize peace over territorial disputes. The multilateral approach involving ASEAN, the U.S., and China demonstrates effective international cooperation in conflict resolution.
Establishment-critical narrative
The ceasefire merely pauses an unresolved territorial dispute without addressing the underlying sovereignty issues that sparked the conflict. Cambodia's use of rocket launchers against Thai civilians and continued artillery exchanges even during peace talks reveal deep mistrust between the armies. Without concrete border demarcation agreements, this temporary truce risks collapsing once international pressure subsides.