Bangkok, Thailand — Following a landmine explosion that severely injured two Thai soldiers near the shared border, Thailand announced Monday, November 10, 2025, the suspension of a nascent peace agreement with neighboring Cambodia. This decisive action, confirmed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, signals a deepening crisis in bilateral relations just weeks after the U.S.-brokered pact was finalized, raising concerns that the fragile détente may collapse and reignite deadly hostilities.
The incident occurred in Thailand’s Sisaket province, where a blast wounded two members of the Royal Thai Army; one soldier sustained critical injuries, while the second experienced severe chest pain. This violation of the peace accord, which aimed to de-escalate tensions stemming from deadly July border clashes, prompted Bangkok to halt the immediate implementation of the agreement, including the planned release of detained Cambodian soldiers.
Fragile Peace Attempt Stalls
The suspended accord, brokered with the facilitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, was signed in Kuala Lumpur in October, following an earlier cease-fire agreement reached after the July hostilities caused casualties and displaced civilians on both sides. The comprehensive pact outlined several measures designed to establish lasting stability between the two Southeast Asian nations:
- Mine Clearance: Joint efforts to remove landmines along the disputed border areas.
- Military Drawdown: Withdrawal of heavy artillery and weaponry from forward positions.
- International Oversight: Granting access to monitoring teams deployed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
- Prisoner Exchange: Thailand committed to releasing Cambodian soldiers detained during previous confrontations.
Prime Minister Charnvirakul expressed profound disappointment regarding the decision, stating that the anticipated security improvement had failed to materialize. The presence of landmines, which Thailand attributes to adversarial actions but Cambodia consistently denies responsibility for, represents a fundamental breach of trust hindering further progress.
Continued Territorial Tensions
Despite the diplomatic efforts and the short-lived truce enforced since July, the relationship remains plagued by decades-old, unresolved territorial disputes. The contested border areas, often poorly demarcated, have historically been flashpoints for violent clashes.
While Cambodia has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to peace and the stipulations of the agreement, the recent explosion underscored the pervasive danger inherent in the disputed zone. The recurrence of violence, particularly through the use of anti-personnel devices, suggests that the underlying issues—namely, sovereignty over specific border tracts—were insufficiently addressed by the initial cease-fire and subsequent peace pact.
This suspension now effectively freezes the next steps outlined in the accord, particularly the prisoner exchange, which was intended as a key confidence-building measure. Analysts suggest that the unilateral suspension by Thailand puts intense pressure on Phnom Penh to demonstrate concrete efforts to secure the border region and ensure adherence to non-aggression protocols.
The international community, particularly the U.S. and ASEAN, which played substantial roles in mediating the initial agreement, will likely increase diplomatic efforts to prevent a renewed escalation. Resuming dialog and ensuring the comprehensive resolution of territorial claims remains the only viable path toward sustainable peace between Thailand and Cambodia. Until concrete steps are taken to fully de-mine the area and resolve the political disputes, the border region will likely remain volatile.