Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” that began late at night local time (1pm on Monday) a few days after clashing across the borders of both countries.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has intervened peace talks as the current chairman of the Malaysian Association of Asian Countries (ASEAN), regional bloc, will convened a meeting of Cambodia and Thai regional commanders on Tuesday, July 29th.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thailand Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai met at the prime ministerial bureaucrats of Putrajaya, just south of the capital Kuala Lumpur.
Figures from Thai and Cambodian officials say both sides have launched their latest border flare-ups, accusing them of trading liability for the ongoing combat that killed at least 35 people and wounded more than 200 people. The conflict over their borders dates back decades.
Leaders showed at a joint press conference that the battle would soon halt despite the clashes Monday morning hours before the peace talks. Cambodian authorities have said the Thai Army has been experiencing clashes in three provinces, but accused the Thai army of attacking at least two locations early.
The US and China also participated in ceasefire negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said U.S. State Department officials were on the ground Monday to help with negotiations.
US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Southeast Asian countries agreed to a ceasefire talk, but localized fighting continued throughout the weekend. Trump said he warned Thai and Cambodia leaders not to trade with either country if a fatal border dispute continues.
“This is an important step to alleviate tensions and restore peace and security,” Hun Mane said in a statement confirming the ceasefire.
He also announced that both countries will establish a General Boundary Commission for Cambodia and Thailand. It will host its first meeting on August 4th, hosted by Cambodia.
“Today’s results reflect Thailand’s desire for a peaceful solution while continuing to protect our sovereignty and our people’s lives,” Phumtham said at a press conference. “We have agreed to a ceasefire that will take place in good faith by both sides.”
Malaysia is ready to deploy its teams to ensure “implementation and observation” of the ceasefire, Ibrahim added that both Thailand and Cambodia will resume direct communication at the level of the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Defence Minister.
Over the past decades, Thailand and Cambodia have developed complex relationships with both cooperation and rivalry. The two countries share a 500-mile (800-kilometer) land border, mainly mapped by French when they ruled Cambodia as a colony.
The recent tension has been simmering since the May encounter in May when Cambodian soldiers were killed.
Relations have worsened following the release of leaked calls between Thai Prime Minister Paetong Tarun Sinahura and Cambodia’s father, Hun Sen. In the call, Paetongtan could be heard calling Hun Sen Sen “Uncle” and appeared to be criticizing the actions of her own military in the border conflict.
The recent flare-up comes after five Thai soldiers were injured in a mine explosion last week.
It was followed by days of fatal clashes and heavy weapon fires across conflict-boundary borders, kicking out more than 139,000 people from seven Thai provinces, as well as at least 80,000 people from Cambodia.
Fix:
This story has been updated to correct the time when the ceasefire will take effect.
