CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Manet has hailed the ceasefire agreed with Thailand as a “wise decision”, extending his gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for convening and facilitating the high-stakes peace negotiations held in Putrajaya on Monday.
The special trilateral meeting, called by Malaysia in response to a sharp escalation of military clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border, concluded with both countries agreeing to a cessation of hostilities beginning at midnight on 28 July—a major development in efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
“A wise decision came out of the meeting, and I thank Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for taking the initiative to coordinate and host it,” Manet wrote in a Facebook post upon his return to Phnom Penh on Monday evening.
“I believe the ceasefire agreement between the Cambodian and Thai armed forces is a critical foundation in building mutual trust and improving conditions towards full recovery in the future.”
It was the first meeting between Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai since tensions flared between the two South-East Asian neighbours on 24 July. The most recent flare-up of violence follows a prolonged territorial dispute along their 817-kilometre shared border.
Since hostilities intensified last Thursday, more than 80,000 civilians have been displaced and 13 lives—both military and civilian—have been lost in cross-border skirmishes.
Manet also extended his thanks to United States President Donald Trump and the Government of China for their support in facilitating the ceasefire agreement.
Phumtham, speaking following Monday’s meeting, likewise expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar, the Malaysian Government, the Chinese authorities and President Trump, citing their concern and goodwill amid the crisis.
According to Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap, the meeting demonstrated a shared commitment between Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand to uphold international law, live in peace, and pursue multilateral cooperation for a fair and durable resolution to the crisis.
“Phumtham affirmed that the discussions reflect Thailand’s resolve to pursue a peaceful resolution while defending its sovereignty and the safety of its people,” Jirayu said in a statement issued after the special meeting in Putrajaya.
He added that Malaysia, as the current Chair of ASEAN, will lead the formation of a monitoring mission to oversee and verify adherence to the ceasefire.
Both nations agreed to implement the truce immediately and without precondition, and to undertake confidence-building measures to ensure the sincerity and efficacy of the ceasefire arrangements.
The two governments also committed to restoring direct lines of communication between their Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers—mechanisms seen as crucial to preventing further misunderstandings and managing future tensions.
The ceasefire, due to come into force at midnight on 28 July 2025, represents a critical turning point in a conflict fuelled by decades-long disagreements over an undemarcated frontier.
Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have steadily mounted since 28 May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an exchange of fire near the disputed Preah Vihear area.
The most recent round of armed confrontations erupted on 24 July, with multiple engagements reported along the northern border region, resulting in casualties on both sides. - July 29, 2025
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