KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Thailand has confirmed that the withdrawal of heavy weaponry along the Thai-Cambodian border has begun, marking the implementation of the initial phase of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord signed by both countries on Sunday (October 26).
The Foreign Affairs Ministry's deputy spokesman Maratee Nalita Andamo said the process will be closely monitored throughout this week to ensure that concrete steps under the joint declaration are implemented effectively.
“The process will not take many days, but I have been told that it has already started. We will be watching very closely this week for all of those concrete steps to be taken,” she told the press during a Thailand MFA press conference on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits today.
Maratee added that the withdrawal applies to both Thai and Cambodian forces, with the process carried out in line with international standards and observed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which will conduct medical check-ups on the prisoners of war before their release.
The accord's implementation encompasses four key areas: the withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas, humanitarian demining, combating transnational crime, including online scams, and management of border areas.
“Once the heavy weapons are withdrawn from the border areas, the likelihood of clashes will be significantly reduced. This process will contribute to lasting peace and stability for both countries,” she said.
Yesterday, Bernama reported that Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the country would reciprocate once Cambodia begins withdrawing heavy weapons from the border area.
“They began this process last night, and once they act, we will reciprocate, as we also have heavy weapons stationed there,” he said.
On Sunday, Anutin and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet signed the KL Peace Accord, witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and United States President Donald Trump.
