WITH TENSE expressions Thai Defence Minister Gen. Nattapol Nakphanit and his Cambodian counterpart Gen. Tea Seiha this morning (Dec. 27) signed a joint statement under the Kuala Lumpur agreement assenting to a 72-hour ceasefire and return of 18 Khmer soldiers prisoners of war under the watchful eyes of the Asean Observer Team (AOT) from Malaysia, Amarin TV said.
This 72-hour ceasefire came into effect at noon today with the First Army Region saying at 1 p.m. fighting had stopped in Sa Kaeo province.
However at 12.22 p.m. “Thai Army Current Events” Facebook page urged Cambodia to show sincerity in the landmine issue as another Thai soldier was seriously injured in the Second Army Region zone before noon.
The ceasefire covers all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian assets and infrastructure, as well as military targets of either side, in all cases and in all areas. Both sides must avoid firing, advancing, or moving troops to the other side’s positions or forces without provocation. This agreement must not be violated under any circumstances.
Gen. Nattapol arrived at Ban Phak Krad permanent border checkpoint in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province, at 10 a.m. to attend the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting with Gen. Tea Seiha, GBC secretariat members and AOT delegation likewise doing so.
This meeting lasted 30 minutes with the joint statement saying that the ceasefire and subsequent cooperation is in accordance with the Kuala Lumpur International Agreement the two countries signed on October 26 this year and witnessed by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The Cambodian side has agreed to the 72-hour ceasefire in exchange for the return of 18 Cambodian PoWs as earlier discussed at this meeting. The AOT delegation, led by Brig. Gen. Samsul Rizal Bin Musa, Malaysian military attaché to Thailand, was present.
It is noteworthy that during the signing ceremony, both sides appeared visibly tense, with no smiles, especially during the handshake. Gen. Natthapol and Gen. Tea Seha barely made eye contact.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – Thai Defence Minister Gen. Nattapol Nakphanit and his Cambodian counterpart Gen. Tea Seiha signing the 72-hour ceasefire agreement this morning, Dec. 27, 2025. Photos – Amarin TV
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