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

4:00PM, August 20, 2025

This afternoon I would like to provide some updates following the coming 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 as of today.

1. Starting from 06:00am of August 20, 2025 up to 03:00pm this afternoon, the situation at the frontline:

– Military Region 4 and 5: Preah Vihear, Uddar Meanchey, and Banteay Meanchey Provinces remain calm and steady under the control of our military forces. Cambodian military forces stand strong and remain fully vigilant in defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Cambodian armed forces firmly respect and strictly implement the ceasefire reached on 28 July 2025, as well as the 13-point Agreed Minutes adopted at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on 7 August 2025, under observation of Malaysia, the United States of America, and the People’s Republic of China.

2. The Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia has facilitated is a-full-day program of field inspection tour for the Interim Observer Team (IOT) comprising of representatives from 5 countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, The Philippines and Vietnam. The team led by Colonel NAZLEE BIN ABDUL RAHIM, Malaysian Defence Attaché to Cambodia, visited Preah Vihear Province and visit the surrounding area around Preah Vihear Temple in order to Observe, Verify and Report on the update situation after the Ceasefire Agreement.

It is also worth noting that the IOT mission stemmed from the outcomes of the special meeting held on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) concluded on August 7, 2025.

3. It should be noted that, on July 29, 2025, CMAA issued an Urgent Guidance on explosive ordnance risk education, aiming at preventing and mitigating risks from cluster munitions and explosive ordnance, for displaced civilians in safety zones.

Following the issuance of the urgent guidance, both national and international operators have launched joint operations to educate citizens at all safety zones and continued their regular activities within communities, at grassroots levels, and even at individual households. The key aspect of this education is to enrich civilians’ knowledge regarding the types of explosive ordnance and the potential dangers, especially the cluster munitions that are now scattered around residential areas, schools, and hospitals within communities.

Additionally, operators are using warning markers and safety cordon to mark areas containing these explosive ordnance, and deploying clearance teams to clear and neutralize them.

4. At the same time, Cambodia continues to call on the Thai side to implement the above agreements, and return 18 of our military personnel to Cambodia so they can reunite with their families, who have been waiting day and night for their return. It is also important to note that Thai soldiers illegally arrested Cambodian military personnel immediately after the ceasefire took effect on the morning of 29 July 2025. As of 04:00pm on 20 August 2025, their detention has lasted 22 days 8 hours, and 10 minutes.

The Ministry of National Defence, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and the international community will persist in demanding that Thailand uphold its obligations under international law, and we will never abandon or leave any of our family members isolated.

The Royal Government, the Armed Forces, and the Cambodian people stand united in defending their territory, dignity, and sovereignty with unwavering determination and clarity.

Full implementation of the ceasefire by both sides will create a favorable atmosphere for restoring peace, stability, and normalcy to the relationship between our two countries. This is something that not only our two peoples desire, but the whole world wishes to see, as demonstrated by many messages of congratulations and support for the ceasefire agreement and the positive outcomes of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee’s extraordinary meeting.

Cambodia is committed to working constructively, sincerely, and in close cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, other ASEAN member countries, and all relevant partners, such as the United States and the People’s Republic of China, to ensure the effective and full implementation of the ceasefire and to resolve all disputes peacefully, in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter.