• Thailand and Cambodia sign a ceasefire deal after deadly border clashes.
• Both countries agree to maintain troop positions and cease provocative actions.
• ASEAN observers will monitor the ceasefire's implementation.

Thailand and Cambodia have concluded a ceasefire agreement aimed at de-escalating escalating tensions along their border, following days of intense fighting that resulted in at least 43 fatalities and over 300,000 displaced individuals. Discussions culminated in a deal in Kuala Lumpur, where both nations agreed to freeze troop deployments and avoid any unprovoked attacks against civilians and military targets. This arrangement follows a truce proclaimed on July 28, reflecting ongoing efforts to stabilize the region amid long-standing disputes over their shared 800-km border, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

Under the terms of the agreement, both sides have committed to refraining from troop movements or reinforcement near the border, crucial for establishing a conducive environment for dialogue. They also agreed to prohibit military actions that could affect the civilian population and condemned the dissemination of misleading information that could escalate tensions, highlighting the importance of trust-building measures between the nations. Notably, the arrangement also includes provisions for an ASEAN observer team to ensure compliance with the ceasefire, coordinated by Malaysia, which is currently chairing ASEAN, according to Bangkok Post and Al Jazeera.

Despite the signed agreement, tensions have persisted, particularly regarding the situation of 18 Cambodian soldiers captured shortly after the ceasefire took effect. These soldiers have been referred to as "prisoners of war," and Thailand has stated that their release will be contingent upon an end to hostilities. This situation has become a focal point of contention even as both sides emphasize their commitment to the ceasefire terms according to South China Morning Post and Bangkok Post.

Both the Cambodian and Thai leaderships have expressed their intentions to restore peace, with Thailand’s Acting Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit emphasizing the goal of allowing civilians on both sides to live in peace. Meanwhile, US officials have welcomed this development, acknowledging the critical role played by diplomatic pressure from both the US and ASEAN in achieving the ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored that the United States expects both nations to uphold their commitments fully, underlining international stakeholders' interest in stabilizing the region according to South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and Bangkok Post.