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 28 July 2025, and after the extraordinary meeting of the GBC was concluded on August 7, 2025, as of today.
Starting from 12:00 AM on 13 August 2025 up to 6:00 AM this morning, the situation at the front line along the Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces remains calm and steady. Cambodian military forces stand strong and fully vigilant in fulfilling their duties.
The Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia firmly rejects any accusations lacking clear and unfounded evidence from the Thai side related to the injuries of the Thai soldier caused by the mine explosion at the Tamoan Thom Temple area, Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, on August 12, 2025. Cambodia maintains its firm stance that Cambodia has absolutely not and will not use or plant any new landmine. Cambodia is a proud state party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which it ratified in 1999, and has been recognized by the international community for its demining efforts at home and abroad.
Cambodia notes that, to date, no official and transparent investigation has been carried out to establish the facts surrounding this incident. Furthermore, Cambodia has reminded Thailand on multiple occasions that these areas still have explosives, which are the remnants of war. In this sense, all parties should refrain from making public conclusions before finding out the truth so as to provide justice and to avoid misunderstandings that could escalate tension and confrontation.
Both sides agree to refrain from disseminating false information or fake news in order to de-escalate tensions, mitigate negative public sentiment, and foster an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue.
Cambodia reiterates 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, with observers from Malaysia, the United States of America, and the People’s Republic of China.
Cambodia urges Thailand to cooperate and promptly facilitate the establishment of an ASEAN observer group, led by Malaysia, to verify and ensure the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire.
Cambodia calls 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 states that both sides are in agreement to maintain their current troop deployments without further movement as they are at the time the ceasefire was reached at 24:00 hours (local time) on 28 July 2025. There shall be no troop movements, including patrol, towards the other side’s position.
Once again, Cambodia launches an appeal to Thailand to strictly adhere to the spirit of the ceasefire agreement so as to move towards a resolution that both sides had agreed to, including through the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting and the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, to be held in the near future.
Starting from 29 July 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 15 days as of August 13, 2025. Cambodia has repeatedly called on Thailand to promptly repatriate all 18 Cambodian military personnel, 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.
The full implementation of the ceasefire agreement by both parties will foster a favorable environment that will bring about peace, stability, and normalcy in the relationship between the two countries, which are not only the aspirations of both nations but also that of the international community as a whole, as proven by their various messages of congratulations and support for the ceasefire accord and positive outcomes resulting from the extraordinary GBC meeting between Cambodia and Thailand.
Cambodia is firmly determined to work constructively, in good faith, and in close cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, the United States of America, the People’s Republic of China, other fellow ASEAN member states, and all relevant partners to ensure the ceasefire’s full and effective implementation and resolve all disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter.
Thank you.
