Cambodian PM Supports The Proposal For Ceasefire With Thailand

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (left) with Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr/DOK PHOTO via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet supported the Malaysian Prime Minister's proposal for a ceasefire with Thailand, which then withdrew his initial support for the plan.

The two neighboring Southeast Asian countries are currently involved in their toughest fighting in more than a decade, which Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia is trying to resolve, who is also the head of the ASEAN regional bloc.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously appealed to Cambodian and Thai leaders to immediately implement a ceasefire against his military to defuse escalation on the borders of the two countries.

PM Anwar has contacted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Acting Prime Minister of the Thai Kingdom, Phumtham Wechayachai, to convey his appeal.

"I express Malaysian concern over the increasing tensions along the border between the two countries. As Chair of ASEAN 2025, I urge the two leaders to immediately implement a ceasefire to prevent further escalation of conflict and pave the way for peaceful dialogue and diplomatic settlement," said Anwar, Thursday, July 24.

Anwar welcomed the positive signal and willingness shown by Bangkok and Phnom Penh in considering this issue. Malaysia is ready to assist and facilitate this process with the spirit of unity and shared responsibility of ASEAN.

"I firmly believe that ASEAN's strength lies in its solidarity, and peace must always be our collective and unshakable choice," said Anwar.

Meanwhile, Thailand has rejected mediation efforts from third-party countries to end the ongoing conflict with Cambodia.

Thailand insisted on urging Phnom Penh to stop attacks and resolve the situation only through bilateral negotiations.

The heated border tension between Thailand and Cambodia has flared up into open hostilities across the front lines, firing artillery each other for two consecutive days.

It was reported that 16 people, mostly Thai civilians, died in the toughest fighting between the two neighboring Southeast Asian countries in more than a decade.

The United States, China, and Malaysia, which are currently chairmen of regional ASEAN blocs, have offered to facilitate dialogue, but Bangkok is working on bilateral solutions to the conflict.

"I don't think we need mediation from a third country," Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikornej Balankura told Reuters on Friday, July 25.

Cambodia and Thailand accused each other of starting a conflict on Thursday, July 24, early in the morning at the disputed location.

Serangan mulai dari tembakan senjata ringan hingga akhirnya penembakan hebat di sepanjang perbatasan yang keulatannya telah dibelangkan selama lebih dari satu musa.

"We remain on our stance that the bilateral mechanism is the best way out, this is a confrontation between the two countries," Nikornej said and stressed that Cambodia must stop violence along the border first.

"Our door is still open," he said.

Fighting broke out a day after Thailand withdrew its ambassador to Phnom Penh on Wednesday and expelled Cambodian envoys in response to a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers.

Thai authorities have accused the mines of being recently installed by Cambodia. Thailand's accusations were denied by Phnom Penh because they were considered baseless.