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. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence:

07:00AM, August 9, 2025

Good Morning and warm greetings to all members of the press and to my fellow Cambodians who are following today’s press briefing!

This morning I would like to provide some updates following the entered into force of the ceasefire between the Cambodian and Thai armed forces on July 28 2025, and after the Extraordinary Meeting of the GBC was concluded on August 7, 2025.

Starting from 12:00am August 9, 2025 up to 06:00am this morning, the situation at the frontline along Preah Vihear and Uddar Meachey Provinces remain calm and steady. Cambodian military forces stand strong and fully vigilant in fulfilling their duty.

To strictly implement the Agreement of the Extraordinary Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee Meeting held on August 7, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Interim Observer Team (IOT), led by Colonel Nazlee Bin Abdul Rahim, Malaysian Defence Attaché to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Head of the IOT, inspected on the morning of August 8, 2025, the headquarters of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) along with several other locations serving the team in Oddar Meanchey Province. The IOT is now carrying their inspecting mission on the implentation of the Ceasefire on the ground.

The Interim Observer Team (IOT) consists of representatives from seven countries: the Defense Attaché of Malaysia (Head), as well as those of Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam.

This action followed the outcome of the Special Meeting on July 28, 2025 in Malaysia and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Boundary Committee (GBC) on August 7, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which led to the agreement on the ceasefire. The participation of these partner countries reflects the shared desire to make the Ceasefire successful and lasting, with the goal of bringing peace, stability, cooperation and development to the people of both countries.

On the afternoon of August 8, 2025, H.E Lieutenant General Rath Dararoth Secretary of State, Ministry of National Defense meet with H.E Lloyd Gillett, Regional Armed Forces Delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for a courtesy call and discussion. 

During the meeting H.E Lloyd Gillett also shared information regarding a humanitarian visit to check on the 18 soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) who were unlawfully detained by the Thai side after the official ceasefire.

According to the ICRC’s visit, it was learned that all 18 Cambodian soldiers currently being held by the Thai side are safe and in good health.

In this spirit, Cambodia hopes that Thailand will immediately release and return the 18 captured Cambodian soldiers, reflecting the growing appeals from partner countries and international organizations.

The Ministry of National Defense and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, together with the international community, will continue to call on Thailand to fulfill its obligations under international law. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to ensuring that none of our soldiers are ever left behind or forgotten.

Cambodia remains firmly committed to respecting and implementing, with determination and integrity, its obligations as a responsible and law-abiding member of the international community, to ensure the effective and full implementation of the ceasefire and the peaceful resolution of all disputes in accordance with international law and the ASEAN Charter.