3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Thailand thanks regional leaders as ceasefire deal reached with Cambodia
BANGKOK: Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday expressed his gratitude to Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian government, the government of China, and United States President Donald Trump for their goodwill and concern regarding the ongoing border crisis with Cambodia.
Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said Phumtham emphasised that the special meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand to uphold international law, peaceful coexistence, and multilateral cooperation in seeking a fair and sustainable resolution to the situation.
He said that Malaysia, as the current Chair of Asean, would coordinate the establishment of an observer team to monitor and verify compliance with the ceasefire agreement.
"Phumtham noted that the discussions reflected Thailand's determination to pursue a peaceful resolution while safeguarding national sovereignty and the lives of its citizens.
"Both parties agreed to a ceasefire, along with confidence-building measures to ensure its sincere and effective implementation," Jirayu said in a statement issued following the Special Thailand-Cambodia Meeting held in Putrajaya on Monday.
Jirayu said that following the meeting, both sides had agreed to restore direct communication channels between the prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defence ministers of the two countries.
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire amid escalating tensions along their disputed border, following the special meeting chaired by Anwar today.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Phumtham reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalation, agreeing to an immediate ceasefire and a return to normalcy, effective from 2400 hours (local time) on July 28.
The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long-standing history of diplomatic disputes over an 817km undemarcated stretch of their shared border.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been rising since May 28, following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear area, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
The latest round of hostilities erupted on July 24, with armed clashes reported along Cambodia's northern border region, leading to casualties on both sides.
– Bernama
