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 Foregin Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC):

7:00AM, August 31, 2025

Cambodia pursues multi-track diplomatic endeavors—at the bilateral, regional, and international levels—while complementing these efforts with transparency and humanitarian measures aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict. This comprehensive approach reaffirms Cambodia’s steadfast commitment to de-escalation, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the protection of civilians, and the upholding of international law. The following are the key summarized endeavors:

1. Endeavors at bilateral level 

– Cambodia has consistently sought to resolve border tensions with Thailand through existing bilateral mechanisms. It actively participates in the General Border Committee (GBC), the Regional Border Committee (RBC), and the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) under the 2000 MoU between both countries. 

– Cambodia has lodged formal protests with Thai government against unilateral Thai military actions, including encroachment, the installation of barbed wire fencing and barricades, and threats to forcibly remove Cambodian civilians, stressing that such actions contravene the 2000 MoU and violate the agreements reached between the two parties.

– Cambodia has repeatedly called on Thailand to fully implement the ceasefire agreement.

2. Endeavors at regional level

– Cambodia engages actively and in good faith in peace talks brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the rotating ASEAN Chair, with the active participation and strong support of the US and China, in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. These negotiations resulted in both parties, Cambodia and Thailand, agreeing to a ceasefire on 28 July 2025 and the 13-point agreement on 7 Aug 2025.

– Cambodia cooperates and facilitates the deployment of a team of ASEAN defense officials, coordinated by Malaysia, as agreed by both Cambodia and Thailand in early August 2025, to monitor the ceasefire along the Cambodian side of the border. These observer teams, to be deployed on both sides of the border, aim to help ensure compliance with the ceasefire, strengthen military communication, and pave the way for continued dialogue.

3. Endeavors at international and multilateral level

– Cambodia has actively engaged in the international and multilateral frameworks to address the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict, underlining its commitment to resolving disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law. 

– At the request of Cambodia, the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting within less than 24 hours of the outbreak of armed hostilities along the Cambodia-Thailand border following Thailand’s attack against Cambodia.

– At the United Nations, Cambodia has consistently informed the UNSC, UNSG and UN member countries on the developments of the situation along the border, highlighting Thailand’s violations of Cambodia sovereignty and the UN Charter, including threats of force and actions endangering civilians. Cambodia has reaffirmed its adherence to the UN Charter on the peaceful settlement of disputes, while calling upon the international community to support the full implementation of the Putrajaya Ceasefire Agreement on 28 July 2025, and the 13-point agreement reached in the Extraordinary GBC meeting on 7 August 2025.

– Beyond the UN, Cambodia has used other international platforms such as the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines, and its partnerships with international humanitarian organizations and UN agencies to mobilize support for demining, protection of civilians, and humanitarian relief.

– The Cambodia diplomatic missions abroad have provided information and clarification to the host countries on the developments of the Cambodia-Thailand border situation, underlining Cambodia position to de-escalate tension and settle the conflict by peaceful means.

4. Humanitarian and Transparency Measures

– H.E. Deputy Prime Miniter Prak Sokhonn, Minister of FAIC, has held a series of diplomatic briefings to inform the diplomatic corps, international organizations, and humanitarian partners on the evolving Cambodia–Thailand border situation. These briefings are aimed at ensuring transparency, and complementing Cambodia’s multi-track diplomatic endeavors—bilateral, regional, and multilateral—towards peaceful resolution.

– And also to demonstrate transparency and highlight the humanitarian impact of the conflict, H.E. Deputy Prime Miniter Prak Sokhonn has organized field visits to affected border areas for Head of Diplomatic Missions, UN agencies, and international organizations, including the recent one on 22–23 August 2025 with 60 participants from embassies, UN agencies, and humanitarian NGOs.

– These visits have enabled the international community to directly witness the plight of displaced persons, the damage caused by mines, and the resilience of local communities.