Kuala Lumpur: In a significant diplomatic development for Southeast Asia, Thailand and Cambodia are poised to sign a ceasefire agreement during the upcoming ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, scheduled from October 26 to 28, 2025. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump will visit Malaysia on October 26 and is “looking forward” to witnessing the historic signing.
The ceasefire, facilitated by both Malaysia and the United States, aims to bring a lasting halt to cross-border tensions between the two nations. As part of the agreement, both Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to remove all mines and heavy artillery from their shared 817-kilometer border, a region that has long been disputed and prone to periodic clashes. The declaration, referred to as the Kuala Lumpur Accord, seeks to ensure peace and stability in the border areas, fostering a framework for long-term cooperation.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated into a deadly five-day conflict in July 2025, the worst in over a decade. The skirmishes claimed at least 48 lives and temporarily displaced hundreds of thousands of residents on both sides of the border. The July clashes highlighted the urgency of a formalized ceasefire and underscored the need for regional mediation.
The ASEAN summit will gather leaders from across Southeast Asia to address pressing regional issues, with the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire agreement expected to be a central agenda item. Analysts believe that the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Accord could mark a turning point in bilateral relations, setting a precedent for resolving other border disputes in the region.
The upcoming agreement has been widely welcomed by the international community, as it signals a move toward de-escalation and cooperative diplomacy in Southeast Asia. The joint facilitation by Malaysia and the United States demonstrates a commitment to supporting regional stability and ensuring that past conflicts do not resurface.
The summit and the anticipated ceasefire signing are being closely watched by neighboring countries and international observers, who hope the accord will create a model for dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes in the ASEAN region.