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

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 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 12:00 AM midnight on 28 August 2025 up to 6:00 AM this morning, the situation at the frontline, Military Region 4, and Region 5—Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Banteay Meanchey Provinces—remains calm, and there are no new developments. Cambodian military forces stand strong and remain fully vigilant in defending the country, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The 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 the observation of Malaysia, the United States of America, and the People’s Republic of China.

2. I would like also to inform you that after the Extraordinary Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) successfully concluded at 11.33 AM yesterday, August 27, 2025, in conjunction with this event, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN MANET, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and His Excellency General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, posted a message on their personal Facebook pages with the following contents:

Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN MANET welcomed the positive outcome of the Cambodia-Thailand Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting between Cambodia’s 4th Military Region and Thailand’s 2nd Army Area on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. His Excellency General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, expressed congratulations on the positive outcome of the RBC between Military Region 4 and Army Area 2 of Thailand. This meeting was conducted in the spirit of consensus and mutual commitment to the effective implementation of the 13-point Agreed Minutes of the ceasefire reached during the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on 7 August 2025. 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.

3. In a press release on August 27, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense expressed regret regarding the recent mine explosion incident that resulted in injury to Thai soldiers. The Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia reaffirmed that it has no use for or place for any new landmine and remains fully committed to the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, to which it is a state party. Furthermore, Cambodia has reminded Thailand and the international community on multiple occasions that the areas in Cambodian territory along the border still have explosives, which are the remains of the past civil war. Cambodia reiterated its firm, clear-cut, and unwavering commitment to respect and strictly implement the ceasefire agreement achieved on July 28, 2025, and the 13-point Agreed Minutes reached during the Extraordinary Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on August 7, 2025.

Cambodia called on Thailand to honor all terms and conditions stipulated in the ceasefire agreement as well as the spirit and agreement during the Extraordinary GBC meeting, which stipulated that both sides agreed to maintain current troop deployment without further movement as it is at the time the ceasefire was reached at 24 hours (local time) on July 28, 2025.

There shall be no troop movements, including patrols toward the other side’s position.

In addition, Cambodia reiterated its firm and unequivocal commitment to upholding the spirit of consensus agreed by both parties in the recent Extraordinary Meeting of the RBC, particularly the Extraordinary Meeting of the RBC between the 4th Military Region of Cambodia and the 2nd Army Area of Thailand, concluded at 11.53 AM on August 27, 2025, which both agreed to increase confidence to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace along the border, using all necessary mechanisms to resolve differences peacefully and avoid clashes in the spirit of good-neighbourliness, friendship, and solidarity, and on the occasion when problems arise, both parties shall work together to solve them through existing mechanisms.  In this sense, Cambodia urged that Thailand adhere to the same spirit. Cambodia reaffirmed its stand to resolve the issue peacefully in good faith in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter.

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 captured these Cambodian military soldiers immediately after the ceasefire took effect on the morning of 29 July 2025; as of 7:00 AM on 28 August 2025, their detention has lasted 29 days, 23 hours, and 10 minutes.

The Ministry of National Defense, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and the International Community will continually demand that Thailand uphold its obligations under international law, and we wish to underscore that we will never abandon or leave any one of our family members behind.

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. The Royal Government, the Armed Forces, and the people of Cambodia stand firmly united and resolutely determined to defend our territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and dignity.

Thank you.