Thailand and Cambodia agree to immediate and unconditional ceasefire

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai attended the meeting, which was also attended by the US and Chinese ambassadors.

Malaysia - as this year's ASEAN chair - is also ready to coordinate a team of observers to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire, according to a joint statement.

Both Cambodia and Thailand have reached a common understanding on an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire, effective from midnight, after mediated talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

"This is an important first step towards de-escalation and restoration of peace and security," a joint statement said.

Speaking after the talks, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed the "very good meeting" between him and Thailand's interim Prime Minister."We hope that the solutions that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar has announced will facilitate the return to normalcy of our bilateral discussions and serve as a foundation for future de-escalation," he said of the ceasefire agreement.Mr. Hun Manet also noted that about 300,000 people on both sides had to be evacuated due to five days of fighting.He also thanked Prime Minister Anwar for hosting and mediating the talks, along with the support of US President Donald Trump and Chinese leaders.

For his part, Thai caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Anwar, the Chinese government and President Trump for their contributions to the ceasefire agreement.He said the agreement reflected Thailand's desire to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, while continuing to protect its sovereignty and the lives of its people.Thailand agreed to the ceasefire “with the assurance… that it will be implemented successfully and in good faith by both sides,” he added.

The next steps have been agreed upon by both sides: Regional commanders from Thailand and Cambodia will hold a meeting at 7 a.m. on July 29. If the two sides reach an agreement, a follow-up meeting will be scheduled with their respective defense attachés, led by Malaysia, as the current chair of ASEAN. A Joint Border Committee (GBC) meeting has also been set for August 4, to be hosted by Cambodia. Bangkok and Phnom Penh have also agreed to resume direct lines of communication.

Hoang Bach