Thailand and Cambodia Declare Unconditional Ceasefire Mediated by Malaysia

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire starting from midnight on Monday, as announced by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who played a mediating role in the negotiations between the two countries.

Ibrahim emphasized that the agreement came after intense talks aimed at defusing the ongoing border tensions that have been escalating for weeks, adding that both sides committed to an immediate and complete ceasefire without any preconditions.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen described the agreement as a significant step towards settlement and progress. Also present at the press conference was Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, where photos were taken of the three leaders shaking hands in front of the media after reaching the agreement.

This development comes amidst a dangerous escalation of events in recent weeks, where at least 22 people, including 8 soldiers, were killed, and over 140 others, including 103 soldiers, were injured in fierce clashes in the border areas between the two countries.

The Thai government also announced the evacuation of over 139,000 residents from affected areas, most of whom are from the provinces of Sisaket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani.

The crisis erupted on May 28 when Thai soldiers fired on a Cambodian military site in a disputed area between Preah Vihear Province in Cambodia and Ubon Ratchathani Province in Thailand, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier and injuries to others.

Subsequent new clashes broke out on the morning of July 24 along the border, further escalating the situation.

Meanwhile, the Thai capital Bangkok witnessed a tragic shooting incident in a market that claimed the lives of 5 people and injured 2, according to the Bangkok Post. The attacker, a 61-year-old man from Nakhon Ratchasima city, was found dead, while the motives behind the attack remain unknown and investigations are ongoing.

Initial reports suggest that the victims included a vendor and three security personnel.

Observers hope that the ceasefire agreement marks the beginning of the end of the recurring tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, whose relationship has always been volatile due to historical border disputes.