KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia, in collaboration with the United States, is actively working towards brokering an extended ceasefire pact between Thailand and Cambodia. The goal is to finalize this agreement at an upcoming Southeast Asian summit later this month, as announced by Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, on Tuesday.

In late July, a five-day conflict erupted between Thailand and Cambodia, resulting in numerous casualties and the displacement of over 260,000 people. A ceasefire was eventually reached through the mediation efforts of Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, and under pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned of revoking trade privileges unless a truce was agreed upon.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain elevated, especially after an incident in August where Thai soldiers were injured by landmines while patrolling a designated buffer zone. Thailand has accused Cambodia of deploying new landmines, which Cambodia’s government in Phnom Penh has firmly denied.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has stipulated four conditions that Phnom Penh must meet. These include the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the border, the clearance of landmines, efforts to tackle cross-border crime, and the management of sensitive border areas to prevent further disputes.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan indicated that current negotiations are focused on expanding the ceasefire terms to cover landmine clearance and the removal of heavy artillery. He remains hopeful that a comprehensive agreement will be signed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit scheduled for October 26-28, which will be attended by approximately two dozen world leaders.

Trump is scheduled to attend the conference in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Oct. 26 and hopes to witness the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Accord between Thailand and Cambodia, Mohamad said.

ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.