Chanthaburi, Dec 27 (NationPress) The Thai Defence Minister Natthapon Nakpanich and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Seiha finalized a ceasefire agreement on Saturday at a border checkpoint in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. Earlier that day, the Cambodian Ministry of Defence announced a mutual understanding with Thailand regarding the draft Joint Statement from the recent Special Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee meeting, which took place the previous night and included ASEAN observers, according to Xinhua.

The ceasefire discussions commenced at approximately 9:40 a.m. local time on Saturday at the Chanthaburi border checkpoint.

Violence escalated between the two nations on December 8–9, following a previous ceasefire breakdown in July, during which Thailand utilized fighter jets and artillery, prompting Cambodia to respond with rocket fire.

Clashes have manifested across disputed segments of the Thailand-Cambodia border, particularly in the Dangrek mountain range, which stretches across northeastern Thailand and northern Cambodia.

This border area is home to numerous ancient Khmer temples, many situated near the border. The control over adjacent elevated terrains has long been a subject of contention, leading to troop movements, shelling, and aerial operations during the latest confrontations.

The roots of this conflict trace back to the early 1900s under French colonial rule in Cambodia, where boundary lines were established. Thailand has argued that certain maps from that era inaccurately delineate the border, not adhering to the natural watershed boundaries outlined in earlier treaties.

A significant source of disagreement remains the Preah Vihear temple. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that Cambodia holds sovereignty over the temple; however, the ruling did not clearly delineate ownership of the surrounding land, leading to varying interpretations from both sides.

During the December conflict, US President Donald Trump stated he had discussions with both Thai and Cambodian leaders, asserting they had agreed to halt the violence. He described the exchanges as positive, with both governments committing to “cease all shooting” and work toward reinstating a peace arrangement similar to prior ceasefires.

Despite these diplomatic claims, reports of ongoing clashes persisted, highlighting a gap between official statements and ground realities. Officials from both Thailand and Cambodia later acknowledged the outreach but indicated that conditions for a ceasefire had not been fully met.

Recently, Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed his talks with Trump but stated that military operations would persist until no threats to Thai territory or civilians remained. He accused Cambodian forces of violating ceasefire agreements and noted that the border situation remains precarious.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet affirmed Cambodia's commitment to peace and dialogue. Public declarations from Phnom Penh reiterated its support for a ceasefire and diplomatic engagement, while simultaneously accusing Thailand of heightening military actions along the border.

Tensions initially escalated in May following a confrontation near the Emerald Triangle, where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge, leading to the death of a Cambodian soldier. The situation deteriorated in July with both sides exchanging artillery fire and deploying heavy weaponry at various border locations, necessitating large-scale civilian evacuations.

Though a ceasefire declared in July provided a brief respite, isolated incidents continued. Renewed exchanges of fire in December led to further military casualties and ultimately caused the truce to collapse.

Authorities from both nations confirmed that soldiers were killed and several others injured during the clashes. Civilians living in border areas have also suffered, with tens of thousands displaced during the July conflict and again after the resurgence of violence in December.

ASEAN member states have urged both nations to return to negotiations. Diplomatic efforts have concentrated on preventing further civilian displacement and restoring tranquility along the border.