UN and major powers press Thailand and Cambodia to observe ceasefire

The international community has called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and to observe the terms of the joint declaration they signed in Malaysia in late July, while advising their citizens to stay away from the Thai-Cambodian border.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern through a UN spokesperson and called on Thailand and Cambodia to adhere to their signed agreements.

The Australian government issued a statement expressing concern that border tensions may intensify and urging the two countries to observe the ceasefire agreement and comply with their commitments under the joint declaration.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing the government’s deep concern over the escalating border tensions. It urged both countries to exercise restraint and said Japan would coordinate with the US and Malaysia to help ease tensions.

The US Embassy in Thailand, meanwhile, said the US is concerned about continued fighting and casualties in multiple locations along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

“We strongly urge the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, signed by the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand and witnessed by President Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” the statement said.

The embassy also issued an advisory urging its citizens to avoid visiting Thai-Cambodian border provinces. Similar advisories were issued by several other embassies in Thailand.

The Thai Embassy in Seoul, meanwhile, advised Thai workers in South Korea to stay away from, or exercise caution when visiting, locations popular with Cambodians.