Press Briefing by H.E. LTG. Maly Socheata – Update on the implementation of the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand
Press Briefing by H.E. LTG. Maly Socheata – Update on the implementation of the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand
7:00 AM, August 17, 2025
Keynote Address by H.E. LTG. Maly Socheata, the Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson:
Greetings, members of the press. Today, I would like to provide some updates to all of you on the situation following ceasefire agreement between Cambodian forces and Thai forces, starting from 28 July 2025 and after the Extraordinary Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee until 17 August 2025.
First, I would like to say that the situation at the frontlines starting from 12.00 a.m. on 17 August 2025 up to 6.00 a.m., the situation along the border at military region 4 in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces remained calm and steady. Cambodian military forces stand strong and fully vigilant in fulfilling their duties in order to defend the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Cambodia remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding and implementing the ceasefire agreement achieved on 28 July 2025, in Malaysia, and following that, both sides agreed on 13 principles during the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting held on 7 August 2025, which was held with the participation of observers from Malaysia, the United States, and the People’s Republic of China.
Second, I would like to inform you all that the outcomes of the Cambodia-Thailand Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) were successfully organized. With this regard, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, posted on his Facebook page that he has welcomed the positive outcomes of the Cambodia-Thailand Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting between Cambodia’s Military Region 3 and Thailand’s Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command on 16 August 2025. I would like to recap the messages posted on Samdech Thipadei’s Facebook page yesterday; I want to draw attention to the successful outcomes of the Extraordinary RBC meeting, which is a new and remarkable achievement for the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Cambodian and Thai soldiers. Furthermore, these accomplishments improve the cease-fire agreement, with the goal of achieving a steady and lasting recovery of the situation.
At the same time, I would like to show you that on the personal Facebook page of His Excellency General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, he has also expressed his congratulations on the positive outcome of the meeting; I would like to quote from those words:
The Cambodian and Thai sides agreed to fully implement the ceasefire and strengthen mutual trust, with the shared goal of restoring normalcy along the border. His Excellency General, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, has hoped and believed that the upcoming meetings—between Military Region 4 and Army Area 2 (Thailand), as well as between Military Region 5 and Army Area 1 (Thailand)—will also be successful and conducted in a peaceful manner.
I would also like to remind you that the ceasefire agreement between Cambodian and Thai soldiers, It is worth noting that this mission stemmed from the outcome of the special meeting held on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya, hosted by Malaysia and co-organized by the United States, with the active participation of the People’s Republic of China, which reaffirmed the full implementation of the ceasefire agreed upon on July 28, 2025.Afterwards, there was also another the Extraordinary of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting held on 7 August 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, hosted by Malaysia and co-organized by the United States, with the active observed by the People’s Republic of China. This meeting reached conclusion and agreed on 13 principles for completely upholding the cease-fire agreement. Therefore, The outcome of the Cambodia-Thailand Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) Meeting on 16 August 2025, Trat Province, Kingdom of Thailand.
The outcome of the Cambodia-Thailand Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) Meeting on 16 August 2025, Trat Province, Kingdom of Thailand. The Cambodia-Thailand Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) Meeting was held on 16 August 2025 in the Kingdom of Thailand, hosted by the Thai side.
• Both sides agreed to maintain regular communication between all army areas, military regions, and units along the Cambodian-Thai border, and to strive to resolve all issues peacefully while avoiding clashes.
• Both sides underscored the positive momentum and forward-looking spirit in strengthening relations through these engagements.
• Both sides also underlined the importance of further intensifying communication at all levels to build trust and promote good neighbourliness.
• Both sides agreed in principle to establish a coordinating group (CG) to enhance communication at all levels, including between commanders, border liaison working groups, standing forces in the border areas, and operational units along the Cambodia-Thailand border, with the aim of resolving all issues peacefully and avoiding clashes. The details will be discussed in the next RBC meeting.
• During the meeting, Cambodia reaffirmed the importance of advancing humanitarian demining, noting that progress depends on the full implementation of the ceasefire and a return to normalcy along the border. As border demarcation is currently underway, demining can be considered in areas that are demarcated or in non-disputed areas, as agreed upon by the Joint Boundary Commissions (JBC) of the two countries. Since the RBC does not have the mandate to make decisions on demining, this issue should be addressed at the upcoming GBC Meeting, which is scheduled to take place soon, as already agreed by both sides.
• With regard to online scams, Cambodia stressed that it takes this matter seriously, alongside other forms of transnational crime. Cambodia has made significant efforts to combat these issues, working closely with ASEAN and other international partners, and has achieved tangible results. Cambodia and Thailand have already cooperated in tackling online scams, and this issue can be further discussed at the upcoming GBC Meeting, as both countries are equally affected.
• Cambodia also underscored the importance of avoiding actions that could inadvertently increase tensions, including the laying of barbed wire, destruction of existing infrastructure—particularly civilian residential structures—and the dissemination of fake news or false information, as such developments risk eroding trust and undermining efforts to maintain a stable and peaceful environment.
• In an effort to restore normalcy along the border, Cambodia strongly urged both sides to explore all necessary and practical measures to normalize relations in all areas as soon as possible. This would help promote mutual trust and confidence while also minimizing any adverse impacts on the lives and livelihoods of the people in both countries.
• This Extraordinary Meeting concluded with a strong commitment by both sides to build on this positive momentum to further strengthen bilateral relations and foster closer people-to-people ties. Both sides also agreed to convene another RBC meeting within one month after this Extraordinary Meeting, with Cambodia as the host.
Cambodia continued to urge the Thai side to fully implement the above agreement and to return the 18 military personnel to Cambodia so they may reunite with their families, who have been waiting day and night. It is important to emphasize that these Cambodian soldiers were illegally arrested by Thai forces on the morning of 29 July 2025, immediately after the ceasefire came into effect, and have now been held in custody for 18 days, 23 hours, and 10 minutes as of 7:00 AM on August 17, 2025. The Ministry of National Defense and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the international community will be precise in demanding that Thailand uphold its obligation under international law, and we will never abandon or leave any one of our family members isolated.
The Royal Government, the Armed Forces, and the Cambodian people stand united in protecting 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.
