Thailand and Cambodia have begun withdrawing heavy weapons and launching de-mining operations along their disputed border as part of efforts to ease tensions following last week’s signing of an extended truce, Thai officials confirmed on Monday.
The move marks the first concrete step toward de-escalation since the two Southeast Asian neighbours signed an enhanced ceasefire agreement in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump. The deal, reached three months after a deadly five-day border war in July, aims to prevent further clashes and establish a framework for long-term border demarcation and peacekeeping cooperation.
Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Thailand welcomed Cambodia’s initial commitment to the truce but would proceed cautiously. He noted that Bangkok would not yet release the 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during the conflict or reopen the closed border checkpoints until Thailand had verified that Cambodia was fulfilling the terms of the new agreement.
“Thailand’s position is that the ceasefire must be implemented in good faith. The release of prisoners and the reopening of crossings will depend on Cambodia’s adherence to the commitments signed in Kuala Lumpur,” Siripong said.
According to Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesman for Thailand’s Ministry of Defence, both sides began de-mining operations along sections of the heavily fortified frontier earlier this week. He said Thailand had proposed clearing 13 mine-affected zones, while Cambodia had identified one for joint clearance operations.
The de-mining effort, which will be conducted with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and regional observers from Malaysia and Indonesia, represents one of the first confidence-building measures since the truce was signed.
In a joint statement released on Friday, Thailand and Cambodia announced that they had agreed to withdraw heavy weapons in three phases — first removing multiple rocket launchers, then artillery systems, and finally tanks and armoured vehicles.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said the first phase of the withdrawal began on November 1 and is expected to take about three weeks. Thai defence officials confirmed that full demilitarization could be achieved by the end of the year if both parties maintain cooperation.
“We expect the withdrawal of heavy weapons to be concluded by the end of the year,” Rear Adm. Surasant told reporters in Bangkok. “This will greatly reduce the chances of another confrontation.”
Beyond the immediate ceasefire measures, Thai and Cambodian officials are also exploring new avenues of cooperation. Rear Adm. Surasant said the two countries had intensified joint operations against transnational cybercrime networks and were coordinating efforts to accelerate border demarcation in disputed zones.
The boundary between the two countries — stretching over 800 kilometres — remains only partially demarcated and has been a persistent source of tension. The July conflict erupted after both sides accused each other of constructing illegal military outposts near a cluster of ancient temples close to the Preah Vihear region, an area long contested despite previous rulings by the International Court of Justice.
The clashes, which lasted five days, left at least 48 people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 200,000 civilians from nearby villages. Although an initial ceasefire was reached on July 28 under Malaysian mediation and with U.S. involvement, sporadic skirmishes continued until the new agreement was signed last week.
The Kuala Lumpur truce was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough, facilitated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and witnessed by President Trump, who had been pressing for stability in Southeast Asia amid growing regional tensions.
Both Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to allow international monitors to oversee compliance with the ceasefire and the de-mining process. A joint military commission, comprising officers from both countries and observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will begin field inspections later this month.
Regional analysts have welcomed the renewed ceasefire but warn that lasting peace will depend on political will and sustained dialogue. “This agreement is significant, but it’s fragile,” said Chalida Prasert, a Bangkok-based security analyst. “The border remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in mainland Southeast Asia, and any miscalculation could quickly undo recent progress.”
Thai officials said discussions on reopening key trade crossings, including the Aranyaprathet–Poipet and Surin–Oddar Meanchey checkpoints, could begin once the weapon withdrawals are verified. Both crossings are vital for cross-border commerce, which had come to a standstill since July.
“Normalizing trade and people-to-people contact will take time,” Siripong said. “Peace must come first.”
As the de-mining teams work along the scarred borderlands and artillery units begin their phased withdrawal, optimism cautiously returns to communities caught between the two militaries.
