Cambodia, Thailand agree to Malaysian mediation

Malaysia's foreign minister announced that Phnom Penh and Bangkok have agreed to Kuala Lumpur's mediation in the border conflict.

"I have discussed with my Cambodian and Thai counterparts, and both have agreed that no other country should be involved in the matter. They have full confidence in Malaysia and have asked us to mediate," Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said today.

Mohamad added that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai are expected to arrive in Malaysia on the evening of 28/7.

Officials from Cambodia and Thailand have not yet commented on the information.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 11/6. Photo: Reuters

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 11/6. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia currently holds the rotating ASEAN chairmanship. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on 25/7 proposed a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. Former US President Donald Trump said a day later that the leaders of both countries "want to reach an immediate ceasefire and peace agreement".

Cambodia said it fully supported Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire. Thailand expressed gratitude to Trump but said "negotiations cannot begin while Cambodia is targeting civilians", an accusation Phnom Penh has denied.

"We have proposed a bilateral meeting between the foreign ministers to finalize the conditions for a ceasefire, troop withdrawal, and removal of long-range weapons," Phumtham said.

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand escalated from 23/7, with fighting breaking out near the Ta Moan Thom temple on the morning of 24/7, then spreading to other areas along the border. Forces from both sides continuously used heavy artillery to attack each other. Both accused the other of firing first.