August 21, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR – The proposal to deploy international observers to monitor the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand should not be seen as interference by outsiders, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the main concern was over the limited numbers of monitors currently on the ground.
“For example, we have ten in Bangkok but we have two in Phnom Penh.
“We said we have to increase the numbers, so we take from the defence attaches and embassy.
“If they are short of two, for example, they can take from their own base to come and support that programme.
“If you can, start from the embassy first,” he told reporters after officiating the Asean Law Forum on Thursday (Aug 21).
On Aug 20, Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that he had rejected a request from Anwar to send more international observers to monitor the ceasefire in Thailand.
Phumtham said Anwar had called him on Tuesday (Aug 19), proposing the deployment of additional international observers, arguing that there was much that the Asean Interim Observer Team (IOT) could not do alone.
He further explained that he turned down the request, stating that the border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia were issues between two parties, and Thailand would not allow foreign interference.