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By Ellie Cook
Senior Defense Reporter
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Thailand and Cambodia have reached a ceasefire agreement, Malaysia's Prime Minister said on Monday, after long-simmering violence flared between the two neighboring Southeast Asian countries last week.
Bangkok and Phnom Penh have agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire," which will come into effect in the next few hours, Anwar Ibrahim said after hosting Thailand's acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet. Both sides had come to a "common understanding," Malaysia's foreign ministry said.
Why It Matters
Cambodia and Thailand have a long history of border disputes, and the recent spike in tensions was fuelled by the death of a Cambodian soldier in a contested area in May. Several Thai soldiers were injured in a land mine explosion along the border last week.
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At least 35 people have been killed since Thursday amid severe restrictions on border crossings, according to the Associated Press. Cambodia's government said on Thursday it had downgraded diplomatic relations with Thailand to "the lowest level" after Thailand recalled its ambassador in Phnom Penh, expelled Cambodia's ambassador in Bangkok and limited diplomatic channels.
What To Know
U.S. President Donald Trump had pushed for the two countries to reach a deal, saying over the weekend he had informed Thailand and Cambodia the U.S. would not press ahead with trade negotiations if fighting continued.
"Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace," Trump said in a post to his Truth Social platform on Saturday. Cambodia's leader thanked the Republican on Monday for "his support" of the ceasefire process and for the U.S. co-hosting the meeting in Malaysia, as well as praising Beijing for pushing for an end to the violence.
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A statement from the Malaysian government similarly nodded to Trump's role in negotiations before praising China's "close contact" with those involved to "actively promote dialogue, ceasefire, and restoring peace."
U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said on Sunday the State Department had officials "on the ground in Malaysia" to assist with ceasefire talks. Rubio said he, along with Trump, were "engaged with our respective counterparts for each country and are monitoring the situation very closely."
In a statement on Monday, Rubio said he "applauds" the ceasefire announcement, and that both Trump and the Secretary of State "expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honor their commitments to end this conflict."
Hun said on Monday the ceasefire would come into effect at midnight local time, and was an "important step towards reducing tensions and restoring peace and security."
Thai and Cambodian regional military personnel will meet in an "informal" setting early on Tuesday for a first round of talks between military leaders, Malaysia's foreign ministry said in a statement. Cambodia and Thailand both agreed to resume contact between its most senior government officials, Malaysia said.
What People Are Saying
Cambodia's prime minister, Hun Manet, said in a statement the ceasefire agreement was a "brilliant result" of the meeting in Malaysia's administrative capital on Monday.
The Thai government's press service said Phumtham Wechayachai and Hun had "led efforts to ease border tensions."
Wechayachai said in a post to social media that the "discussions reflected Thailand's desire to find a peaceful solution while preserving the sovereignty and lives of its people."
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday, referring to Cambodia and Thailand: "They will hopefully get along for many years to come. When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!"
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday: "We urge all parties to follow through on their commitments. The United States will remain committed to and engaged in this U.S.-Malaysia-organized process to end this conflict."
What Happens Next
Malaysia, which is currently chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, said it "stands ready to coordinate an observer team" to ensure the agreements are followed.
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