Thailand and Cambodia Agree to 'Immediate and Unconditional' Ceasefire

The prime ministers of Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand shake hands after announcing a ceasefire at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo Credit: @Dr_Hunmanet_PM/ Xs)

The move was announced by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after hosting peace talks between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai in Kuala Lumpur.

The meeting comes after the latest armed conflict along the border began last week, resulting in the deaths of many people, including soldiers, on both sides of the disputed border.

Thai and Cambodian military commanders will hold a formal meeting on Tuesday morning. Officials from the US and China also attended the meeting on Monday.

Defense and Foreign Ministers to Oversee Implementation of Ceasefire

Anwar, who also serves as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the ceasefire would be “an important first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.”

The Defense and Foreign Ministers of Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia will develop a mechanism for implementing and verifying the ceasefire towards “sustainable peace and accountability,” Anwar said.

“This mechanism will serve as a foundation for sustainable peace and accountability,” he said.

“Malaysia is ready to coordinate an observer team to verify and ensure the implementation” of the ceasefire, he said.

Anwar said Malaysia will consult with fellow ASEAN members to be part of “peace support on the ground.”

In addition to agreeing to direct communication between the prime ministers, Anwar said Thailand and Cambodia would hold a General Border Committee meeting on August 4, to be hosted by Phnom Penh.

Anwar said the meeting in Kuala Lumpur reaffirmed the “shared resolve” of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand to “uphold the principles of international law, peaceful coexistence, and multilateral cooperation in pursuing a just and lasting solution to this situation.”

The two Southeast Asian neighbors are embroiled in a border dispute along Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, with tensions escalating since May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed.