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 Cambodia and Thai armed forces on July 28, 2025, and after the extraordinary meeting of the GBC was concluded on August 7, 2025, until today.

Starting from midnight on 10 August 2025 up to 6 a.m. this morning, the situation at the frontline along the Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces remained calm and steady. Cambodian military forces stand strong and fully vigilant in fulfilling their duty. On Sunday, August 10, 2025, the Military Attaché Corps Phnom Penh (MACPP), comprising 14 participants from nine countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, France, Japan, South Korea, Laos, and Vietnam, with residents both in and outside Cambodia, to depart from Phnom Penh for Oddar Meanchey province to inspect the actual situation and refugee location following Cambodia’s full implementation of the ceasefire. The program was coordinated by Lieutenant General Phat Vibol Sopheak, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Politics and Foreign Affairs and Director of the International Relations Department at the Ministry of National Defense, together with many other military officers from the Ministry of National Defense and the Army, to ensure the smooth execution of the mission.

It is worth noting that this mission stemmed from the outcome of the special meeting held on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya, Malaysia, at the extraordinary meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC), which reaffirmed the full implementation of the ceasefire agreed upon on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya. Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to work constructively in good faith and in close cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, other ASEAN member states, and all relevant partners to ensure the effective and full implementation of the ceasefire and to resolve all disputes peacefully in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter. In this spirit, Cambodia hopes that Thailand will immediately release and return the 18 captured Cambodian soldiers, reflecting the growing appeal from partner countries and international organizations.

Starting from July 29, 2025, at 7.50 am, immediately after the ceasefire entered into force, Cambodian military personnel were unlawfully captured by the Thai soldiers. As of now, there have been almost 12 days as of August 10, 2025. Cambodia has repeatedly urged Thailand to promptly return all 18 military personnel back to Cambodia in accordance with international humanitarian law and in response to urgent appeals from various partner countries and international organizations.

The Ministry of National Defense, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and the international community will continue to call upon Thailand to fulfill its obligations under international law. We are committed to ensuring that no military personnel are left behind or abandoned. Our stance remains firm in advocating for an immediate release and safe return of our detained personnel, emphasizing adherence to legal and humanitarian standards.

Cambodia would like to reiterate its unwavering commitment to respecting and strictly implementing all the terms of the ceasefire agreement, as well as the spirit and content reached at the extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee on 7 August 2025.

Thank you.