Malaysia’s Anwar: New Thai Prime Minister Commits to Peace with Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept. 12, 2025) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Thailand’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has pledged to uphold peace between Thailand and Cambodia, according to a report by the Bernama news agency.

Anwar said the assurance came during a phone conversation between the two leaders earlier this week. He shared the update while speaking at the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime.

“Anutin assured me that he is committed to ensuring that peace between Cambodia and Thailand will be respected and fully valued,” Anwar said.

In July, Anwar, serving as ASEAN Chair, played a key role in brokering an urgent ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand amid heightened tensions along their shared border — a longstanding and complex dispute between the two neighbors.

Anutin officially assumed office this week, replacing Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed by Thailand’s Constitutional Court. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet congratulated Anutin, expressing hope for renewed cooperation, mutual trust and peaceful transformation of the border region.

In a letter to Anutin, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet called the victory “a reflection of strong confidence in your leadership,” and emphasized the importance of “peace, harmonious coexistence, and shared prosperity” between the two nations.

Separately, the British and Japanese embassies, along with other foreign missions, reiterated their support for regional peace efforts. They pledged continued engagement with all relevant parties to promote de-escalation and ensure full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.