Cambodia and Thailand have signed a landmark peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur aimed at ending months of hostilities along their shared border, marking one of the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs in Southeast Asia in recent years.
The agreement — officially titled the Joint Declaration by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand on the Outcomes of Their Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — was concluded on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The accord was witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and United States President Donald Trump, reflecting broad regional and international support for the peace initiative.
Background to the Conflict
Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand had escalated sharply in July 2025, leading to the most intense border clashes between the two countries in more than a decade. The fighting involved artillery exchanges and limited airstrikes, displacing an estimated 130,000 people and resulting in dozens of civilian deaths.
The conflict prompted urgent diplomatic intervention from ASEAN and neighboring states. An initial ceasefire, known as the Putrajaya Agreement, was reached on 28 July 2025 following emergency talks in Malaysia, which at the time held the ASEAN chairmanship. The United States and China were among the international observers that supported the truce.
Subsequent consultations through the General Border Committee (GBC) and Regional Border Committee (RBC) helped stabilize the ceasefire and laid the groundwork for formal peace talks. The United Nations welcomed ASEAN’s mediation efforts and urged both parties to maintain restraint.
Negotiations in Kuala Lumpur
Formal negotiations to convert the temporary ceasefire into a lasting settlement took place in Kuala Lumpur in late October, coinciding with the ASEAN Summit. The bilateral discussions were hosted and facilitated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with U.S. representatives attending the closing session.
According to the joint declaration, the talks concluded “in the presence of and supported by” both Anwar and President Trump. ASEAN officials described the agreement as a milestone for “regional de-escalation and the re-establishment of normal diplomatic relations.”
The accord followed months of technical consultations between the Cambodian and Thai defence ministries over monitoring arrangements, troop withdrawals, and mechanisms for humanitarian cooperation.
🇺🇸🇲🇾 TRUMP ANNOUNCES THE "KUALA LUMPUR PEACE ACCORDS"
"Today, the Prime Minister and I signed a major trade deal between the United States and Malaysia.
Together, we took part in the signing of a historic peace agreement, ending the hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand.… https://t.co/L0oP9Wqy9f pic.twitter.com/gqvfW6GgbZ
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 26, 2025
Key Provisions of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords
The Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords outline political, military, and humanitarian measures designed to ensure a durable peace:
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Commitment to Non-Violence: Both sides reaffirmed adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and the ASEAN Charter, pledging to resolve disputes peacefully and avoid the use of force.
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Implementation of Existing Agreements: Cambodia and Thailand reconfirmed their commitment to mechanisms such as the General Border Committee, Regional Border Committee, and Joint Boundary Commission as key frameworks for managing disputes.
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ASEAN Observer Team (AOT): A Terms of Reference for a regional observer mission was signed alongside the accord. The AOT, composed of representatives from ASEAN member states, will monitor compliance with the ceasefire and report its findings to the ASEAN Secretariat.
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Military De-escalation: Both parties agreed to withdraw heavy weaponry from border areas under AOT supervision and to develop a timeline for phased troop reductions.
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Information Restraint: The declaration calls on both governments to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and misinformation that could inflame tensions.
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Confidence-Building Measures: Cambodia and Thailand committed to restoring diplomatic relations and to implement joint civil-military and border coordination programs.
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Humanitarian De-mining: The two sides will conduct joint operations to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance to improve civilian safety and support post-conflict reconstruction.
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Prisoner Release: Thailand agreed to release Cambodian prisoners of war captured during the July fighting as a goodwill gesture.
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Transnational Crime Cooperation: Both governments pledged enhanced coordination to combat smuggling, arms trafficking, and other cross-border crimes.
Regional and International Response
The peace accords have been widely welcomed by regional actors and international organizations. ASEAN officials described the agreement as a success for regional diplomacy, demonstrating the bloc’s capacity to manage security challenges within Southeast Asia.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement expressing support for the agreement and commending ASEAN’s efforts to facilitate dialogue.
Observers say the accord provides a framework for rebuilding trust between Cambodia and Thailand after years of intermittent border disputes. Analysts also note that Malaysia’s role as mediator, supported by both Washington and ASEAN institutions, underscores the importance of multilateral engagement in maintaining regional stability.
Next Steps
The ASEAN Observer Team is expected to deploy in the coming weeks, beginning with verification of troop withdrawals and ceasefire compliance. Follow-up meetings of the General Border Committee and Regional Border Committee are scheduled to refine technical details and oversee the humanitarian aspects of the accord.
If implemented successfully, the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords could mark the formal end of a conflict that has long strained relations between Cambodia and Thailand and serve as a model for ASEAN-led conflict resolution efforts in the region.
Picture copyright: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons