TOP STORY | Prime Minister Hun Manet: “Genuine willingness of the Thai side to accept ceasefire is the first step to solving conflict”

Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasizes Cambodia’s stance on the ceasefire proposal initiated by the ASEAN rotating chair Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, amid escalating clash between Cambodia and Thailand.

In his social media page, Prime Minister Hun Manet details the phone conversation he had with Malaysian Prime Minister Ibrahim on the evening of July 24. Ibrahim expressed deep concern over the ongoing border clash between the two ASEAN member states and urged both sides to agree on an immediate ceasefire.

Prime Minister Hun Manet clarifies that Cambodia agreed on the proposed ceasefire highlighting its consistent commitment to peaceful resolution, “Cambodia agreed with his proposal for a ceasefire because Cambodia did not initiate this fighting.”

Prime Minister Hun Manet states that Malaysian Prime Minister Ibrahim informed him that Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has also agreed on the proposed ceasefire, which was supposed to be implemented at midnight of July 24.

But just an hour later, Thai side suddenly reversed its position on the initially agreed ceasefire stating that it would delay to a later date, which led to the continuing exchange fire at its border until now. Prime Minister Hun Manet says that Malaysian Prime Minister Ibrahim is well aware of this situation.

Prime Minister Hun Manet stresses that the key to resolving the ongoing border conflict is the genuine willingness of the Thai side to accept ceasefire and find solutions between the neighboring countries.