Press Briefing – Update on the implementation of the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand

Press Briefing – Update on the implementation of the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand

Keynote Address by H.E. Chum Sounry, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:

11:00AM, August 7, 2025

Cambodia noted with disappointment the disinformation campaign being conducted by Thailand while both countries are engaging in dialogue for the full implementation of the ceasefire. This campaign is seen as an attempt to mislead the international community, mischaracterize Cambodia’s position, and divert attention from Thailand’s own actions on the ground. However, we wish to highlight the following:

1. Clarification of Cambodia’s Actions and Intentions:
Cambodia has consistently demonstrated its goodwill, restraint, and commitment to peace, notably by:
– Fully complying with the ceasefire agreement reached during the Special Meeting on 28 July 2025 in Malaysia;
– Actively participating in good faith in General Border Committee (GBC) talks, seeking a diplomatic, negotiated solution to the crisis;
– Hosting inspection tour of foreign diplomats and UN agencies to refugee sites to ensure transparency;
– Cambodia has never initiated hostilities, and any military engagement was defensive and within its own territory.

2. Cambodia’s Response to Some Allegations:
Cambodia firmly rejects the unfounded allegations made by Thai officials, which falsely portray Cambodia as the aggressor and accuse it of violating the ceasefire and targeting civilians. These claims are not only factually incorrect, but also dangerously misleading.

Cambodia reiterates that it has acted only in self-defense in response to incursions into its territory and has consistently observed the ceasefire with restraint. The Cambodian Armed Forces have not targeted civilian areas.

Cambodia also rejects the accusation that it has used civilian populations or refugee movements for political gain. On the contrary, Cambodia has provided international diplomats and UN agencies full access to displacement sites, facilitated humanitarian aid, and publicly called for the safe return of civilians to their homes through the complete implementation of the ceasefire.

Cambodia considers such allegations aimed at discrediting Cambodia.

3. Call for End to Disinformation and Return to Dialogue:
Cambodia strongly urges Thailand to abandon its current course of public misinformation and instead return to the path of good-faith dialogue and regional cooperation. The current campaign of disinformation not only undermines trust between the two countries but also threatens the progress made under the ceasefire agreement.

Cambodia remains committed to resolving all disputes peacefully through diplomatic mechanisms, particularly the General Border Committee (GBC), which has yielded productive results.

4. Appeal to the International Community:
Cambodia respectfully calls on the international community, including ASEAN member states, UN agencies, Observer nations, particularly the current ASEAN Chair Malaysia, U.S., and China to support objective mechanisms for monitoring the situation—such as the proposed ASEAN Monitoring Team (AMT).

Cambodia also urges global media outlets to seek objective truth by supporting independent verification mechanisms—such as the proposed ASEAN Monitoring Team (AMT)—and to avoid legitimizing one-sided narratives that ignore facts on the ground and Cambodia’s demonstrated commitment to restraint and diplomacy.

As a peace-loving nation, Cambodia affirms its strict compliance with the ceasefire agreement and its full cooperation with all regional and international efforts to stabilize the situation.