A regional affairs analyst says the swift creation of an Interim Observation Team shows Cambodia’s determination to ensure the ceasefire with Thailand is effectively implemented.
Seng Vannly, a political geography observer in the Asia-Pacific region, wrote on Facebook that the team, made up of ASEAN military attachés based in Phnom Penh but excluding Thailand, reflects Cambodia’s commitment to the truce, while Thailand continues to violate it.
He said Cambodia’s next step should be to push ASEAN, the United States, and China to accelerate the establishment of a permanent ASEAN monitoring team and to press Thailand to agree quickly on its terms of reference and operational framework.
On August 14, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence said the Interim Observation Team had visited border areas directly affected by the recent Cambodia-Thailand border tensions to assess the security situation.
The ministry said their mission included travelling to Battambang province to hear a report from Fifth Military Region Commander Ek Sam Oun following the ceasefire. The next destinations are in Banteay Meanchey province, including Boeung Trakuon in Thma Puok district, O Bei Choan in Chouk Chey village in O’Chrov district, and the Poipet international border crossing.
The Interim Observation Team is led by Malaysian military attachés and includes representatives from Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The mission follows agreements reached during a special meeting on July 28 and an Extraordinary General Border Committee session on August 7 in Malaysia.
At the August 7 meeting, Cambodia and Thailand agreed on twelve of the thirteen proposed conditions to safeguard the ceasefire. One of those terms was the creation of the Interim Observation Team, comprising ASEAN military attachés and led independently by Malaysia’s military attachés.
