Thailand, Cambodia Agree on Ceasefire and ASEAN Observers

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (TNA) – Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a 13-point ceasefire implementation plan and will allow the ASEAN regional bloc to act as observers, following a meeting between their respective defense ministers.

The agreement, signed by Thai Acting Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit and his Cambodian counterpart, General Tea Seiha, at the Extraordinary Session of the General Border Committee (GBC) in Kuala Lumpur, aims to resolve border tensions and restore peace. The pact includes an immediate cessation of all hostilities, a freeze on troop movements and new deployments, and a commitment to avoid provocative actions.

To ensure the ceasefire is upheld, the two nations have agreed to allow an ASEAN observer team, led by Malaysia, to monitor its implementation. An interim observer team, composed of defense attachés from ASEAN member countries, will be deployed until the official team is established. The two sides also committed to maintaining open communication and using existing bilateral mechanisms to resolve conflicts.

In addition to the ceasefire, Thailand expressed its readiness to cooperate with Cambodia on clearing landmines in affected border areas to ensure the safety of civilians.

According to Nattaphon, officials from both countries will meet within the next two weeks at a Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting to discuss the specifics of the agreement. A follow-up GBC meeting is also scheduled to be held one month from now, with the venue yet to be determined. -819 (TNA)