Phnom penh: The Cambodian and Thai armed forces convened coordination meetings on Tuesday to implement a ceasefire agreement signed in Malaysia, following a series of deadly border clashes that have resulted in dozens of deaths and displaced 300,000 people.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata emphasized during a press conference, as reported by the Khmer Times, that military commanders from both Cambodia and Thailand are working to activate the ceasefire, halt any further troop reinforcements, exchange critical information, and promptly inform senior leadership of any developments. Socheata highlighted the ongoing arrangement of additional meetings between regional commanders and reiterated Cambodia's commitment to the ceasefire brokered in Malaysia under the mediation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Socheata further mentioned that the next phase involves forming a joint monitoring mechanism under Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship. This mechanism could potentially include foreign military attaches to rebuild trust and stabilize the border region. Despite these efforts, tensions remain as the Royal Thai Army accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire by launching attacks on Thai territory after the truce took effect at midnight. Thai Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvari stated that Thailand reserves its right to respond in self-defense.
Cambodia has denied these allegations, maintaining that its forces have fully adhered to the agreement. Both Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reported that the border situation has largely calmed, with both sides exercising restraint. The ceasefire, reached on Monday in Putrajaya with Malaysian mediation, U.S. coordination, and Chinese participation, follows the most intense cross-border fighting in recent years.
The conflict intensified after Thailand withdrew its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia's envoy following landmine explosions that injured Thai soldiers. Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new mines, which Cambodia denied. The ongoing border dispute over the Preah Vihear Temple and surrounding territory, which the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 belongs to Cambodia, remains a central point of contention.
Despite frequent clashes between 2008 and 2011, recent troop movements have reignited the standoff, prompting calls from regional and international entities for dialogue and restraint. The next General Border Committee meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2025, aiming to improve communication between the prime ministers and defense and foreign ministers of both nations.