Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Thailand had no willingness to end the armed conflict with Cambodia. He said Thailand had agreed to the ceasefire proposal by Malaysia’s prime minister and rotating ASEAN chair, setting midnight on the night of July 24 as the time to cease fire, but subsequently changed its position.
The following is the message posted on the Cambodian prime minister’s official social media account on the afternoon of July 25:
Having seen unclear reports in some international media about Cambodia’s position on the ceasefire proposed by Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and the rotating ASEAN chair, I need to clarify the following:
Yesterday evening, July 24, 2025, Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and the rotating ASEAN chair, requested a telephone discussion with me about the fighting between Cambodian and Thai forces along the border.
He expressed concern about the fighting and a desire for an immediate ceasefire to open the way toward finding a solution between the two sides.
I made it clear to Anwar Ibrahim that Cambodia agreed to his ceasefire proposal because Cambodia did not initiate this fighting.
The initial reply I received from Anwar Ibrahim after he had discussed the matter with Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand’s acting prime minister, was that the Thai side had agreed to Anwar Ibrahim’s ceasefire proposal, setting midnight on the night of July 24, 2025, as the time for both sides’ forces to cease fire.
Regrettably, however, more than an hour later, the Thai side gave notice that it had changed its position from agreeing to a ceasefire at midnight on the night of July 24, 2025, to not agreeing and waiting for the time being. Anwar Ibrahim was fully aware of this.
Therefore, the key to seeking an end to the armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia at this time is the Thai side’s genuine willingness to accept a ceasefire, as the first step toward seeking a solution between the two sides.
By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
