Bangkok (Thailand), 27 Dec. (LaPresse/AP) – Thailand and Cambodia have signed a ceasefire agreement to end weeks of armed fighting along their border over competing territorial claims. The agreement came into effect at noon local time. In addition to ending the fighting, the agreement stipulates that there will be no further military movements and no airspace violations by either side. Another important clause stipulates that Bangkok, “after the ceasefire has been fully maintained for 72 hours”, is required to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers detained since July. Their release was one of the main demands of the Cambodian side. Last July's ceasefire was brokered by Malaysia and pushed forward under pressure from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to withdraw trade benefits if Thailand and Cambodia did not reach an agreement. Despite the agreement, tensions continued along the border between the two countries, escalating in early December and culminating in widespread heavy fighting.
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