Thailand and Cambodia formally endorsed a critical declaration in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, aimed at solidifying a fragile ceasefire along their shared border under the watchful eyes of high-level regional and international leaders.
The “Declaration of Thai-Cambodian Relations” was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as the current ASEAN Chair, and U.S. President Donald Trump were present as witnesses, signaling significant regional and global support for the peace effort.
The declaration is intended to reinforce a precarious ceasefire agreement reached in July, which followed a military conflict that erupted on July 24 between the two nations.
The long-standing border dispute spans 817 kilometers and has been a persistent source of tension.
ASEAN played a crucial role in mediating the initial July ceasefire, an intervention widely credited with preventing a broader escalation and ensuring the safety of thousands of civilians.
The July ceasefire negotiations were hosted by Prime Minister Anwar in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and significantly eased immediate border tensions.
Key provisions of the new agreement include the establishment of an official ASEAN observer team. This team will monitor compliance and work to prevent any renewed clashes in the contested border areas.
The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s stated commitment to conflict prevention under its upcoming 2025 ASEAN chairmanship.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan had previously outlined core elements of the ceasefire, including the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border regions and the systematic clearance and destruction of unexploded ordnance and landmines.
While the July ceasefire largely held, Foreign Minister Mohamad noted minor violations, such as the use of slingshots, which did not involve firearms.
ASEAN hopes this formal declaration will firmly maintain stability and urges both countries to continue negotiations toward a peaceful and definitive resolution of their shared border demarcation issues.