Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire after deadly border fighting
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The news: Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” from midnight Monday local time after five days of fighting over their disputed border, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced.
The announcement came after a meeting with Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet in Kuala Lumpur.
The ceasefire also followed calls from US President Donald Trump, who said he made it a condition for further trade talks with either country. Both leaders thanked Trump for his role, with Hun Manet calling the mediation decisive and Phumtham saying the outcome reflected Thailand’s desire for peace while protecting its sovereignty.
The context: The conflict stems from a long-standing dispute over border demarcations, especially around the Preah Vihear temple.
The fighting, the deadliest in over a decade, escalated after a Thai soldier was killed in May and a mine blast killed five Thai troops earlier this month.
At least 35 to 36 people, most of them civilians, have been killed and more than 300,000 displaced.
What they said: “This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,” Anwar said, adding that the agreement would be followed by talks on a more durable resolution to the border dispute.
Following the talks, the three prime ministers held a brief press conference where Hun Manet and Phumtham shook hands.
Hun Manet said: “We hope that the solutions Prime Minister Anwar just announced will set the conditions for moving forward, for our bilateral discussion to return to normalcy in our relationship.”
Phumtham said: “Today’s outcome reflects Thailand’s desire for a peaceful resolution while continuing to protect our sovereignty and the lives of our people.”
The sources: The Wall Street Journal, NPR News, Reuters
