Cambodian, Thai defense chiefs accept plan to ease border tensions

ANKARA

Thailand and Cambodia agreed Thursday to a 13-point ceasefire implementation plan to ease tensions along their disputed border after five days of armed clashes last month.

The agreement was reached during a General Border Committee meeting co-chaired by Cambodian Defense chief Gen. Tea Seiha and his Thai counterpart Gen. Nattaphon Narkphanit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital.

Cambodia and Thailand "agree to maintain peace along the border, with Malaysia as mediator," according to a statement from the Cambodian Information Ministry.

It aims to "ensure peaceful coexistence between border communities," according to the Thai Enquirer News outlet.

Earlier in the day, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim received the two defense ministers ahead of their bilateral meeting with the border committee.

The two visiting defense chiefs have "given their commitment to observe a full ceasefire” in the border region, he said. “In fact both countries want Malaysia to continue facilitate peace negotiation without involving others within and outside ASEAN," Anwar said on X after the meeting, referring to a bloc of Asian countries.

The two Southeast Asian neighbors engaged in cross-border hostilities last month, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries. On July 28, during a trilateral meeting with Malaysia’s prime minister, they agreed to an unconditional ceasefire.

"It was a meaningful meeting," said Anwar after meeting the Thai and Cambodian defense chiefs.

The two sides began their border committee meeting at the officials' level on Monday and concluded it today with the participation of the defense chiefs.

Officials from Malaysia, the US, and China also attended as observers.

According to Anwar, his meeting with the two visiting defense chiefs "resulted in a key consensus to sustain dialogue and uphold the ceasefire along the Thailand–Cambodia border."

"I appreciate the trust placed in Malaysia to continue facilitating the peace process," said Anwar, noting that Malaysian Defense Forces chief Gen. Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar was also involved in the process.

He said the two sides "reached several important agreements including full adherence to the ceasefire without any form of aggression, no increase or repositioning of troops, avoidance of provocative actions, and a firm commitment to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure"

"We also discussed the proposed deployment of the ASEAN Observer Team to support monitoring efforts, humanitarian assistance and medical coordination at the border. Malaysia will continue to support this process in the belief that lasting peace is only possible through dialogue, mutual respect and genuine friendship," said Anwar, who is current chair of the Southeast Asian regional bloc.

Bangkok and Phnom Penh have a border dispute along Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, with renewed tensions since May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed. Dozens of people, including civilians were killed in clashes between the two forces.

*Writing by Aamir Latif