Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand announced today the suspension of the implementation of a peace agreement with Cambodia. The agreement, initially brokered with the mediation of then-U.S. President Donald Trump, faces setbacks following a recent incident near the border.
Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat stated that the “executive steps we have been taking for about a week following the joint declaration will stop.” This includes the planned release of 18 Cambodian soldiers currently detained in Thailand.
The decision comes just a week after the initial phase of the peace agreement commenced. This phase included the withdrawal of heavy weaponry and the commencement of demining operations along the shared border between the two Southeast Asian nations.
The suspension follows an incident involving a landmine explosion that injured two Thai soldiers patrolling the border region. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of personnel involved in the demining process and the overall stability of the border area.
Cambodia and Thailand had previously signed a ceasefire agreement in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after a five-day period of heightened tensions along their border three months prior. The border dispute in July resulted in the deaths of at least 48 people and the temporary displacement of thousands of residents on both sides of the frontier.
The future of the peace agreement remains uncertain as both countries assess the implications of the recent developments. Further discussions and negotiations will likely be necessary to address the security concerns and ensure the successful implementation of the agreement’s objectives. DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
