Cambodia And Thailand Start Pulling Heavy Weapons From Border

JAKARTA - Cambodia on Saturday (8/11) stated that its troops began withdrawing heavy weapons from the border area with Thailand, following the signing of a peace pact between Phnom Penh and Bangkok after the deadly border conflict.

In an official statement, the Cambodian Ministry of Defense said that the two countries "continued the implementation of the second phase of Phase 1 of withdrawing weapons and heavy equipment as well as destructive equipment" from border areas.

"The withdrawal of weapons and heavy equipment demonstrates Cambodia and Thailand's commitment to respect and implement the Joint Declaration of Kuala Lumpur which was signed on October 26," the statement said.

Phnom Penh also expressed his hope that both parties would continue to carry out the declaration in full and effectively with sincere, good intentions, and transparency, and called for a fast normalization recovery' in bilateral relations.

Separately, Thailand's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday (7/11) that the two countries had agreed to work together to build a eight-kilometer-long security fence along the border line.

Earlier at the end of last month, Cambodia and Thailand had discussed the implementation of the first phase of moving heavy weapons from their border areas.

On October 26, the two countries signed a peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur before US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Cambodia and Thailand previously agreed to an unconditional ceasefire on July 28 at a trilateral meeting organized by Anwar after weeks of tensions and armed clashes.