Thailand and Cambodia on Sunday signed a comprehensive ceasefire agreement to formally end months of fighting along their disputed border, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough at the 47th ASEAN Summit in the Malaysian capital.
The accord, officially named the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, was co-signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet during a ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The signing was witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring broad international support for the peace effort.
The agreement outlines a series of measures designed to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the affected frontier regions. Among its key provisions are the withdrawal of heavy artillery and armored vehicles from contested zones, and the creation of an interim ceasefire monitoring team composed of ASEAN observers and officials from both nations.
Other commitments include joint landmine clearance operations, the replacement of missing or disputed border markers with temporary ones, and the release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war detained by Thailand during the recent conflict.
The two countries also agreed to form a joint task force aimed at combating the cross-border proliferation of scam centres and transnational criminal activities, a growing concern in the region.
Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow described the accords as a “pathway to peace,” expressing hope that the framework would lead to long-term reconciliation.
President Trump, who participated in the signing ceremony, highlighted the role of mediation and diplomacy, saying the accord demonstrated how “international cooperation can resolve even the oldest territorial disputes.”
The border between Thailand and Cambodia stretches roughly 800 kilometers and has been a source of recurring tensions for decades, notably around the Preah Vihear Temple area. The 1962 International Court of Justice ruling awarded the temple to Cambodia, but disputes over the surrounding territory have persisted.
Regional observers said the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord could serve as a model for ASEAN-led conflict resolution efforts across Southeast Asia.
Shongjog 