Putrajay, Malaysia, Jul 28 (AP) — In a significant development marking five days of deadly clashes at their shared border, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced this on Monday, following talks he chaired as the leader of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc. Both nations have pledged to take steps to return to normalcy after what Anwar described as open and frank discussions.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reached a common understanding to implement the ceasefire starting from midnight local time on Tuesday. "This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security," Anwar stated while reading a joint statement.
Military officials and representatives from both sides will convene meetings to ease the border tensions, while foreign and defense ministers have been tasked with crafting a detailed mechanism to enforce and monitor the ceasefire. Hun Manet and Phumtham shook hands at the end of a brief press conference, expressing optimism for a return to normalcy so that approximately 300,000 displaced villagers can return home.
Hun Manet expressed, "It is time to start rebuilding trust, confidence, and cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia." Phumtham echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Thailand's aspiration for a peaceful resolution.
The clashes erupted last Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border injured five Thai soldiers, with both sides blaming each other for the escalation. The conflict has resulted in at least 35 fatalities and the displacement of more than 260,000 people. The tension led both countries to recall their ambassadors, with Thailand closing all border crossings with Cambodia except for migrant workers returning home.
The ceasefire announcement comes after direct pressure from US President Donald Trump, who cautioned that ongoing hostilities could impact trade deals with the United States. The talks, co-organized with input from the US and China, saw the presence of their respective ambassadors in the Malaysian meeting that extended over two hours.
This outbreak of violence is a rare occurrence of open military confrontation between members of ASEAN, a regional bloc known for its non-aggression, peaceful dialogue, and economic cooperation.
People displaced due to the conflict have been praying for peace. In Cambodia's Siem Reap province, far from the border, 56-year-old Ron Mao shared her harrowing experience of fleeing her home with family from the frontline. She expressed hope at the prospect of returning home soon, should the peace negotiations succeed.
Similar sentiments were voiced by Thai evacuees. "I beg the government. I want it to end quickly," said Nakorn Jomkamsing, a farmer at a camp in Surin. "I want to live peacefully and miss my home, my pets, my pigs, dogs, and chickens."
The 800-kilometer boundary between Thailand and Cambodia has been a longstanding point of contention, though past incidents have been limited and brief. The latest tensions erupted in May following the death of a Cambodian soldier, sparking a diplomatic rift that impacted Thailand's internal politics. (AP) GRS GRS
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