By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Cambodia and Thailand have signed a landmark joint declaration to reaffirm peace, de-escalate border tensions, and chart a new chapter of cooperation, in a ceremony witnessed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, brought together Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Both leaders described the agreement as a reaffirmation of their “unwavering commitment to peace and security” following their earlier declaration in Putrajaya on July 28, 2025.
Ceasefire and ASEAN Observer Team
Central to the declaration was the signing of the Terms of Reference (TOR) on the establishment of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), which will include personnel from ASEAN Member States. The team’s mandate is to oversee and verify the full and effective implementation of a ceasefire.
“We call on ASEAN Member States to provide the appropriate support to ensure the AOT can successfully meet its objectives,” the joint statement said.
Both sides committed to military de-escalation, including the removal of heavy weapons from border areas, under AOT observation. They also pledged to refrain from spreading false information or harmful rhetoric that could inflame tensions, and instead implement immediate confidence-building measures to restore trust.
Border Cooperation and Humanitarian Efforts
The declaration outlined steps to restore peace and stability along the border, including humanitarian de-mining operations, coordinated through the General Border Committee. These measures are intended to protect civilian lives and contribute to socio-economic development without prejudicing ongoing boundary demarcation talks.
Both governments reaffirmed that border disputes will be resolved through peaceful means and international law, working via bilateral mechanisms such as the Regional Border Committee, General Border Committee, and Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
Thailand further undertook to release prisoners of war as part of efforts to build mutual confidence and bring an end to active hostilities.
Commitment to Future Peace
Hun Manet and Anutin also committed to strengthen cooperation against transnational crime, enhance border controls, and foster socio-economic ties.
“We acknowledge the need to chart a course for a bright future not bound by conflicts of the past,” the leaders said, affirming their adherence to the UN Charter and the ASEAN Charter on peaceful conflict resolution.
The joint declaration described the Kuala Lumpur meeting as a “strong foundation for mutual respect and the advancement of peace in the region,” while expressing appreciation for Trump’s role.
“We note with deep appreciation President Donald J. Trump’s significant contributions to advancing the restoration of productive bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand,” the statement concluded.
The declaration was signed on October 26, 2025, in quadruplicate, in the English language, by Hun Manet and Anutin Charnvirakul, and witnessed by Anwar Ibrahim and Donald J. Trump.
- TNS News