Keynote Address by H.E. LTG. Maly Socheata, the Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson:

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 midnight [00:01AM] on 9 August 2025 up to 6:00 AM this morning, the situation at the front line along the Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey Provinces remained calm and steady. Cambodian military forces stand strong and full of vigilance in fully fulfilling their duty.

To strictly implement the agreement of the extraordinary Cambodian-Thai General Border Committee meeting held on August 7, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Interim Observer Team (IOT) led by Colonel Nazlee Abdul Rahim, Malaysian Defense 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 OddarMeanchey Province. The IOT is now carrying out their inspection mission on the implementation of the ceasefire on the ground.

The Interim Observer Team (IOT) consists of representatives from seven countries, headed by the Defense Attaché of Malaysia, as well as those of Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. This action followed the outcome of the special meeting on 28 July 2025 in Malaysia and the extraordinary meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Boundary Committee (GBC) on 7 August 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, which led to the agreement on the ceasefire. The participation of these partner countries reflects the shared desire to mark the ceasefire as 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, met 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, Excellency Lloyd Gillette also shared information regarding a humanitarian visit to check on the 18 soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces who were unlawfully detained by the Thai side after the official ceasefire. According to the ICRC’s visit, it was learnt that all 18 Cambodian soldiers currently being housed 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 organisations. The Ministry of National Defenseand the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, together with the international community, will continue to call on Thailand to fulfil its obligations under international law. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to ensure that none of our soldiers are ever left behind and forgotten.

Thank you.