Ceasefire Consolidates: Anwar Confirms De-escalation as Dec 31 Deadline Looms

KUALA LUMPUR – The window for an official declaration of war between Thailand and Cambodia in 2025 has all but closed following a diplomatic breakthrough in China. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed today that high-level delegations from Bangkok and Phnom Penh have agreed to "consolidate" a fragile ceasefire, signaling a decisive pivot toward de-escalation just 48 hours before the December 31 deadline.

This development serves as the strongest indicator yet that the hostilities which reignited on December 8—resulting in over 100 fatalities and displacing half a million civilians—will not escalate into a formal state of war this year.

Prime Minister Anwar, speaking as the ASEAN Chair, welcomed the outcome of direct talks held in Yunnan, China, on December 28 and 29. The dialogue focused on enforcing the truce that formally took effect on December 27. According to Anwar, the agreement moves the two nations away from the brink of total conflict and toward a "step-by-step restoration" of diplomatic and military ties.

For observers monitoring the conflict's status, the shift in venue to Beijing appears to have stabilized a situation where previous frameworks failed. Earlier in Q4, the security situation spiraled after Thailand suspended a U.S.-backed peace deal. However, Chinese mediators—leveraging strategic ties to protect regional economic corridors—have successfully prioritized strict adherence to the new ceasefire.

While reports of sporadic drone incursions persisted as late as Sunday, the "consolidation" announced by Anwar suggests that national authorities are committed to holding fire. Absent a catastrophic breakdown of the Yunnan agreement in the final hours of the year, the diplomatic path to an official war declaration has been effectively blocked.