In the early hours of Tuesday, a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodia came into effect, marking a hopeful turning point in a long-standing border dispute. The ceasefire aims to halt sporadic skirmishes that have periodically flared along the border dividing Thailand’s Trat province and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear region.
Local communities, weary of instability, have welcomed the pause in hostilities. “For months, families here have lived in fear of sudden clashes,” said a villager near the Chong Jom checkpoint. “This truce could help us return to our fields and markets without constant worry.”
Analysts note that renewed calm could breathe life into cross-border trade, with agricultural exports and local services poised for recovery. Monitoring groups have already recorded a significant decline in incidents since preliminary talks began, signaling early progress.
ASEAN partners and international mediators are expected to support confidence-building measures, from joint patrols to community exchanges. While challenges remain, stakeholders are optimistic this window of peace can be turned into lasting stability for residents and businesses on both sides of the border.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
