Thailand and Cambodia announce ceasefire beginning at midnight
The announcement was made in Malaysia, where Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar read a statement in the presence of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. A new cross-border committee meeting is set for 4 August to consolidate the agreement. Archbishop Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok warns against exploiting “historical complexities” to “incite nationalist sentiment and divert public attention from domestic issues”.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "unconditional" ceasefire starting at midnight, after five days of border clashes that left at least 36 people dead.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, rotating chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), made the announcement after a meeting today in Putrajaya (Malaysia) between Thailand's interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia's Hun Manet.
At the end of the summit, which followed appeals from China and US President Donald Trump, Anwar read a joint statement announcing the ceasefire in the presence of the heads of government of the two countries, calling it "a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.”
Anwar also announced that a meeting between the military commanders of the two countries will be held tomorrow morning, followed on 4 August by a meeting in Cambodia of the cross-border committee, which will address the sensitive issue of the agreements on access to the two disputed Buddhist temples of Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom, as well as more general issues regarding the management of the 800-kilometre border between the two countries.
Anwar's announcement came at the end of a day that saw continued fierce fighting between the two sides, with both sides accusing the other of not truly wanting an agreement to end what has been the most serious escalation of violence in the region in recent years.
Nearly 300,000 people have been forced to flee their homes on both sides of the border, while the two countries exchanged artillery fire and rockets, and carried out air raids.
The Catholic Churches in both countries have publicly called for a swift end to hostilities.
The appeal by the Apostolic Vicar in Phnom Penh, Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, for a “friendly, sustainable, and just" solution, reported on Saturday by AsiaNews, was joined a few hours later by that of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand, which intervened with a statement from the Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok.
In it, the Thai prelate urged all Catholic communities to pray for peace, noting that “the current border conflicts are deeply rooted in historical complexities, frequently exploited for political gain, and often distorted to incite nationalist sentiments, divert public attention from domestic issues, and serve the agendas of certain political factions.”
“The Church,” writes the archbishop of Bangkok, “reiterates the dangers of extreme nationalism, which can lead to division and severe conflict, undermining human dignity and hindering genuine efforts for peaceful resolution, sustainable development, and the well-being of the people.”
Hence, he appeals “for sincere dialogue, with increased diplomatic efforts and open channels of communication between all parties to find just solutions that respect human dignity and to seek common paths towards lasting peace and genuine reconciliation.”
The Thai Church has also been at the forefront of efforts to help refugees displaced by the fighting. Bishop Stephen Boonlert Phromsena of Ubon Ratchathani, the diocese closest to the Cambodian border, told the Catholic news agency Licas News how local Catholic communities have also been severely affected.
“We had to evacuate hundreds of people from seven parishes and close two schools run by the Lovers of the Cross Ubon Ratchathani and the Franciscans,” Bishop Boonlert told LiCAS News.
“Many stayed with their relatives in other parishes and towns, some came to our emergency center, and the rest are at state evacuation centers,” the prelate added.
The diocese has organised its own relief operation, providing food, drinking water, clothing, and other essential items.
Most of the displaced, the bishop of Ubon Ratchathani told Licas News, have only one wish in their hearts: for peace to return, so they can resume their lives and work.
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