Malaysian Defence Attache Leads Observer Mission To Thai-Cambodian Border

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s Defence Attaché to Thailand, Brigadier General Samsul Rizal Musa, led the Interim Observer Team (IOT) in inspecting the Thailand–Cambodia border to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire and ensure the process remains transparent and impartial.

The three-day inspection, hosted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) from Monday to Aug 20 covered Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, and Surin provinces. It involved 14 representatives from eight ASEAN member states — Malaysia, Brunei, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.

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Samsul emphasised the team’s commitment to maintaining transparency in ensuring both countries uphold the ceasefire agreement to restore peace and stability.

He added that the IOT conducted on-site inspections in border areas that have recently been a flashpoint.

“The IOT is tasked with observing the implementation of the ceasefire arrangement by both countries, and with gathering and compiling information, data, facts, and inputs to ensure a transparent and fair process without taking sides,” he told Bernama when contacted on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) said the field visit began at Sunphasitthiprasong Camp Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani Province, where the observers were briefed on recent incidents.

During their visit, the ASEAN observers conducted on-site inspections at key locations along the border, it said in a statement.

The RTARF reaffirmed its commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful means, in line with ASEAN principles and international law, but stressed that it would defend Thailand’s sovereignty and safety of its citizens in the event of violations.

The IOT is part of the ceasefire agreement reached during the Extraordinary Thailand–Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting held on Aug 7 in Kuala Lumpur.

The intervention of Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, together with the United States and China as observers, played a crucial role in bringing the tense situation under control.

-- BERNAMA