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 agreement between the Cambodian and Thai Armed Forces on July 28, 2025, after the extraordinary meeting of the GBC was concluded on August 7, 2025, as of today.
Starting from midnight on 11 August 2025 up to 6:00 AM this morning, the situation at the front line along the Preah Vihearand Oddar Meanchey provinces remained calm and steady. Cambodian military forces stand strong and fully vigilant in fulfilling their duty.
On August 10, 2025, General Boonsin Padklang, the Commander of Military Region 2, announced his retirement plan, which is only 51 days away, with the following actions:
Firstly, to seize the Ta Krobei Temple, which is under the legitimate control of Cambodia, and secondly, declare the closure of the Tamoan Thom Temple, which is situated within the Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity. This statement constitutes undeniable evidence of a provocative and premeditated attempt to invade Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The above-mentioned actions of Military Commander Region 2, Boonsin Padklang amounts to a violation of the ceasefire agreement reached during the special meeting on July 28, 2025, and the spirit of the extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) held on August 7, 2025, in Malaysia. During this GBC Extraordinary meeting, Cambodia and Thailand agreed mainly on Point 2, which states that both parties must not move their troops, including refraining from patrolling beyond their current positions.
Cambodia emphasizes its firm stance on peaceful resolution and adherence to the principle of peace and strictly implements the ceasefire agreement. Cambodia hopes that Thailand will also uphold these principles with sincerity to resolve the border disputes so as to restore peace for the peoples of both countries. I would also like to underscore that the borders cannot be changed through the use of force and that border issues must be resolved through technical and international legal mechanisms.
Furthermore, the Ministry of National Defense launches an appeal to the international community, especially the partner countries that have worked diligently, which led to achieving this hard-earned ceasefire, and also urges Thailand to respect this ceasefire agreement not only verbally but also through concrete actions, including halting all violations and provocations, and to immediately remove the barbed wire covertly laid on Cambodian territory.
I would like to reaffirm that the overall situation at the border remains calm, and both sides should continue to maintain this stability, to work towards improving this situation, and to avoid any action that could hinder peace, stability, and good relationships between the two countries, which are not only the common aspirations of our two [nations] peoples but also of the global community, as clearly proven through many congratulatory messages and support for this ceasefire agreement as well as the positive outcomes resulting from the GBC Extraordinary meeting between Cambodia and Thailand.
It is worth noting that this mission stemmed from the outcome of the special meeting held on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) was concluded on August 7, 2025, which reaffirmed the full implementation of the ceasefire agreed upon on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya.
Starting from July 29, 2025, at 7:50 AM, immediately after the ceasefire entered into force, Cambodian military personnel were unlawfully captured by Thai soldiers. As of now, there have been 13 days as of August 11, 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 the urgent appeal from various partner countries and international organizations.
The Ministry of National Defence, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and the international community will continue to call upon Thailand to fulfill its obligation 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.
Cambodia reaffirms its commitment to work constructively in good faith and in close cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, and 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, the United Nations Charter, and the ASEAN Charter.
Thank you.
