Thailand, Cambodia agree to unconditional ceasefire - Anwar

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire effective midnight, following peace talks mediated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya today.

Anwar, as Asean chairperson, said the ceasefire is among the common understandings reached at the meeting attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

“PM Hun Manet and acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai have expressed their positions and willingness for an immediate ceasefire and return to normalcy.

“United States President Donald Trump has (also) been in contact with the leaders of both countries, urging the leaders to find a peaceful solution to the situation,” Anwar said during a joint press conference with the two leaders. 

Anwar further announced that China has also kept close contact with Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and other relevant countries to promote dialogue and restore peace.

“The presence and collaboration of all parties underscore a shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and regional stability,” he said.

Elaborating on Thailand-Cambodia bilateral understanding, aside from the immediate ceasefire, Anwar listed the following commitments:

• To convene an informal meeting of regional commanders (Regional Military 1 and 2 on the Thai side and Regional Military 4 and 5 of the Cambodian side) at 7am July 29 on 29, and followed by a meeting with the defence attaches led by the Asean chair, if both sides agree;

• To convene a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on Aug 4 to be hosted by Cambodia.

As the current Asean chair, Anwar reaffirms Malaysia’s readiness to coordinate an observer team to verify and ensure implementation of the commitments.

Reopening communications

Malaysia will also consult with fellow Asean member states to participate in the observation effort, reflecting a regional commitment to supporting peace on the ground, he added.

He said the commitment will see the resumption of direct communications between the countries’ prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defence ministers.

“The foreign ministers and defence ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand have been instructed to develop a detailed mechanism for the implementation, verification, and reporting of the ceasefire.

“This mechanism will serve as a foundation for sustained peace and accountability,” Anwar stressed, towards cooperation in the pursuit of a just and lasting resolution to the situation.

Speaking at the joint press conference, both Manet and Wechayachai thanked all parties involved in today’s meeting and facilitated subsequent agreed commitments.

Manet also claimed that the tensions between the Asean neighbours had displaced some 300,000 people - 140,000 from Cambodia and 160,000 from Thailand.

Tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations have been escalating since May 28, following a deadly incident in the Preah Vihear area that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier.

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