Thailand, Cambodia Begin Weapon Pullback Days After Signing Peace Deal

Last Updated:November 03, 2025, 14:48 IST

Thailand and Cambodia begin pulling back heavy weapons and de-mining their disputed border after a Kuala Lumpur truce, following deadly July clashes that killed at least 48.

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaks with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN on October 28. (Image: Reuters)

Over a week after signing an extended truce, Thailand and Cambodia have started pulling back heavy weaponry and carrying out de-mining work along their disputed border as part of steps to de-escalate tensions.

The enhanced ceasefire agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of US President Donald Trump, coming three months after a deadly five-day clash reignited long-standing border disputes between the neighbouring countries, news agency Reuters reported.

According to government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Thailand would continue to hold 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during the conflict and would keep border checkpoints closed until it is satisfied that Cambodia is complying with the terms of the truce.

At a press briefing, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri of Thailand’s Defence Ministry said that both sides have begun clearing land mines in contested zones. Thailand has proposed de-mining 13 locations, while Cambodia has put forward one area for clearance.

A joint announcement issued on Friday revealed that the two nations had agreed to remove heavy weapons from the border in three stages—starting with rocket systems, then artillery, and finally tanks and armoured vehicles.

According to Reuters report, the Cambodian Defence Ministry said on Saturday that the first phase of withdrawal would take approximately three weeks, beginning on November 1. Surasant added on Monday, “We expect the withdrawal of heavy weapons to be concluded by the end of the year."

He noted that both nations had intensified cooperation against transnational cybercrime and were working urgently on demarcating sections of the border still under dispute.

The brief war in July—considered the most severe fighting between the two sides in decades—claimed at least 48 lives and forced hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border to flee. An initial ceasefire brokered in Malaysia with US involvement was signed on July 28.

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

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News world Thailand, Cambodia Begin Weapon Pullback Days After Signing Peace Deal

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