At an extraordinary meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) held at the Malaysian Ministry of Defense today, 7/8, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha and Acting Thai Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit reached a 13-point agreement on implementing the ceasefire between the two countries.

Both sides will permit the deployment of Interim Observation Teams (IOT), comprising ASEAN military attaches, in both Cambodia and Thailand to monitor the situation on the ground. Each team will be led by the Malaysian military attache in the respective country and will not cross the border.

This is a preparatory step towards establishing a formal ASEAN observer mission in the near future.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha (left) and Acting Thai Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit in Kuala Lumpur, 7/8. Photo: Khaosod

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha (left) and Acting Thai Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit in Kuala Lumpur, 7/8. Photo: Khaosod

"We have agreed to deploy ASEAN observers on both sides of the border," Nattaphon said after the meeting. "Thailand and Cambodia are two neighboring countries sharing a common border, inseparable. The parties need a solution so that people can live in peace again."

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that this GBC meeting was part of an agreement between himself and Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Following the extraordinary GBC session, both sides further agreed on conditions for implementing the ceasefire and strengthening direct communication mechanisms between the two countries' armed forces.

The parties committed to completely ceasing hostilities, refraining from attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, not deploying additional troops, and avoiding any provocative military actions. Cambodia and Thailand will also avoid actions such as airspace incursions or constructing new military installations along the border.

Both countries guaranteed the safety of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law, including the humane treatment of prisoners of war and the respectful repatriation of remains. Phnom Penh also requested Bangkok to release 18 detained soldiers.

The two countries will hold a Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting within two weeks and the next GBC meeting within one month of 7/8. If necessary, Cambodia and Thailand can convene another extraordinary meeting in the same format.

Fighting between Cambodia and Thailand erupted near the Ta Moan Thom Temple on the morning of 24/7, subsequently spreading to other areas along the border. This was the most serious clash between the two neighbors in over 10 years, resulting in at least 43 deaths on both sides.

Cambodia and Thailand reached a ceasefire agreement on 28/7, following negotiations in Malaysia. Leaders of the Thai and Cambodian military regions agreed not to deploy or redeploy troops along the border to implement the ceasefire.

Thanh Danh (Reuters, Fresh News, Nation)