Thailand and Cambodia have reached an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire agreement following high-level peace talks hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The announcement came on Monday after intense mediation efforts in Malaysia’s administrative capital, Putrajaya. The ceasefire is set to begin at midnight local time, marking a significant step towards ending what has become the worst bout of violence between the neighbouring nations in over a decade.
Common understanding between Thailand and Cambodia reached
“Both Cambodia and Thailand reached a common understanding,” Ibrahim stated during a press briefing at his official residence, where the talks were held. He chaired the meeting in his capacity as current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
At least 35 people have been killed and more than 270,000 displaced since hostilities erupted, drawing widespread regional and international concern. Clashes continued into the early hours of Monday, just before negotiations were due to commence.
In a show of global support, the ambassadors of both the United States and China to Malaysia were present at the talks, a rare diplomatic move underscoring the significance of the crisis and the push for a peaceful resolution.
The ceasefire agreement is expected to usher in a cooling of tensions and pave the way for longer-term diplomatic dialogue between the two Southeast Asian countries. However, the situation remains fragile, with both sides urged to exercise restraint and honour the terms of the deal.
Observers say the success of this ceasefire could be a litmus test for Asean’s ability to mediate regional conflicts, particularly as the bloc faces growing pressure to act more decisively in matters of peace and security.
