Thailand And Cambodia Agree To Ceasefire After Few Days Of Fighting

Thailand and Cambodia have reached an agreement for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” following five days of border clashes that resulted in at least 33 deaths and displaced tens of thousands.

“This is a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security,” said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, standing alongside his Thai and Cambodian counterparts, as he declared that hostilities would cease at midnight.

Thailand initially rejected his mediation offer but relented after US President Donald Trump stated that tariff negotiations would be halted until “fighting STOPS”.

Tensions over the century-old border dispute intensified in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation.

Thailand imposed restrictions on citizens and tourists traveling to Cambodia by land, while Cambodia prohibited certain imports from Thailand, including fruits, power, and internet services. Local Cambodian media reported that hundreds of thousands of workers had returned from Thailand since May.

The conflict escalated last week when a Thai soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion. Thailand closed several border crossings with Cambodia, expelled their ambassador, and recalled its own.

Both sides engaged in gunfire early last Thursday, with each accusing the other of initiating the conflict.

Thailand’s army reported that many casualties on their side were civilians in villages struck by rockets. Cambodia reported 13 deaths on its side, including eight civilians.

Shells and rockets continued to land in both countries even as peace negotiations were held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

Anwar stated that Malaysia and other members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) were available to assist in monitoring the ceasefire.

Both nations will need to agree to withdraw their significantly reinforced armies from the border and accept independent monitoring to prevent further clashes.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet described the meeting as highly productive, expressing hope that it would immediately halt the fighting. Cambodia has been advocating for a ceasefire since Friday, as its outmatched forces have been pushed back by the Thai military.

Acting Thai PM Phumtham Wechayachai spoke briefly, pledging to uphold the ceasefire.

Leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has vowed that doctors’ strikes will be prohibited under a Conservative government.

The Tory party leader today announced plans to amend legislation to ban the protests, asserting that the British Medical Association (BMA) is ‘out of control’.

This follows 11 strikes in the past 18 months, which Ms Badenoch said have led to patient deaths.

Her remarks were made on GB News during an ongoing five-day strike by resident doctors in support of a pay claim.

Calling on Sir Keir Starmer to take similar measures, Ms Badenoch said: ‘The BMA has become militant, these strikes are going too far, and it is time for action.

‘Doctors do incredibly important work. Medicine is a vocation – not just a job. That is why in government we offered a fair deal that supported doctors, but protected taxpayers too.

‘These strikes will have a significant economic effect, but they will also mean cancelled operations, worry for families of the sick, and suffering for those who are unwell. We know that previous strike action by doctors even led to some patients losing their lives.

‘That is why Conservatives are stepping in, and setting out common sense proposals to protect patients, and the public finances. And we are making an offer in the national interest – we will work with the Government to face down the BMA to help protect patients and the NHS.’

In the UK, police, military, and prison officers are prohibited from striking under the 1992 Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act. The Conservatives would amend this to include doctors.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli