• Agreeing to ceasefire ‘reflects Thailand’s decision for peaceful resolution,’ says Thai Premier Phumtham Wechayachai

• ‘I confidently believe’ that ceasefire provides ‘time to start rebuilding cooperation,’ says Cambodian Premier Hun Manet

ISTANBUL

The prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand on Monday vowed to seek a “peaceful” resolution to their disputes after agreeing to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, effective from 1700GMT.

The outcome of talks in Kuala Lumpur “reflects Thailand’s decision for peaceful resolution while continuing to protect our sovereignty and the life of our people,” said Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

He made the remarks after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, which had been engaged in intense border clashes since Thursday.

“We agree to a ceasefire — that it will be carried out successfully in good faith by both sides,” said Phumtham.

His Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, called the meeting hosted by Anwar “very good,” saying it produced “very good results that hope to stop immediately the fighting that has cost many lives.”

Manet said some 300,000 people had been displaced on two sides of the border in the past five days due to cross-border airstrikes and rocket fire, which killed many people and injured dozens of others.

“We hope” the ceasefire “will set a condition for moving forward for our bilateral discussion as a foundation for the future de-escalation,” Manet said about ties with Thailand.

Manet lauded his Thai counterpart Phumtham for “his positive role and constructive dialogue that we had today, leading to the agreement which will lead to stop of fighting.”

“I confidently believe that result we had today will provide a lot of opportunities for two people, time to start rebuilding cooperation going forward,” said Manet.

Both prime ministers praised the roles of US President Donald Trump, China, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar in helping broker the ceasefire.

“Cambodia values these efforts,” said Manet, while the Thai prime minister expressed his “sincere appreciation” to Trump and Anwar for “their concern.”

The two Southeast Asian neighbors have a longstanding border dispute between Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province referred to as the Emerald Triangle. Tensions were reignited on May 28 when a brief 10-minute skirmish led to the death of a Cambodian soldier.