4:00 PM, August 21, 2025

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

 

This afternoon, 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 6:00 AM on 21 August 2025, up to 3:00 PM this afternoon, the situation at the front lines, Military Regions 4 and 5—Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Banteay Meanchey Provinces—remains calm and steady under the control of our military forces. Cambodian military forcesstand strong and remain fully vigilant in defending the country’s 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 7August 2025, under the observation of Malaysia, the United States, and the People’s Republic of China.

 

2. Starting from yesterday, the Ministry of National Defenseof the Kingdom of Cambodia facilitated a full-day program of the field inspection tour for the Interim Observer Teams (IOT) comprising representatives from five countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The team led by Colonel Nazlee Bin Abdul Rahim, Malaysian DefenseAttaché to Cambodia, has visited Preah Vihear Province and inspected the surrounding areas around the temple.

 

And as of today, the team remains on the ground fulfilling the mission of observing, verifying, and reporting on the situation of the border areas after the ceasefire agreement took effect. It should be noted that the above-mentioned IOT mission stems from the outcomes of the special meeting held on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and the extraordinary meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC), which concluded on August 7, 2025. Through these meetings, both sides agreed that pending the ASEAN Observer Team led by Malaysia as agreed upon by both sides in Putrajaya on July 28, 2025, the Interim Observer Team (IOT), comprising the Defense Attaché of ASEAN member states accredited to Thailand or Cambodia and led by the Defense Attaché of Malaysia, will be established separately and independently in each country. Cambodia and Thailand to observe on each side the implementations of the ceasefire on a regular basis. The composition of each country’s IOT is independently invited by the host country in consultation with Malaysia. The IOT will operate without crossing the border and will work in close coordination and consultation with the RBC and GBC of each country.

 

3. 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 days and nights for their return. It is also important to note that Thai soldiers illegally arrested Cambodian military personnel immediately after the ceasefire took effect on the morning of July 29, 2025; as of 4:00 PM on August 21, 2025, their detention has lasted 23days, 8 hours, and 10 minutes.

 

The Ministry of National Defense, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and the international community will persist in demanding that Thailand uphold its obligations under international law, and we will never abandon or leave any of our family members isolated. The Royal Government, the Armed Forces, and the Cambodian people stand firmly united and resolutely determined to defend our territory, dignity, and sovereignty.

 

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.

This is something that not only our two people desires, but the whole world wishes to see, as demonstrated by many messages of congratulations and support for the ceasefire agreement and the positive outcomes of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee’s extraordinary meeting.

 

Cambodia is committed to working constructively, sincerely, and in close cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, other ASEAN member countries, and all relevant partners such as the United States and the People’s Republic of China to ensure the effective and full implementation of the ceasefire and to resolve all disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter.

 

After the ceasefire agreement came into force at midnight on July 28, 2025, we have observed that there have been gradually positive developments through bilateral discussions between the two countries. Such notable developments include the extraordinary GBC meeting held on August 7, 2025, and the extraordinary RBC meeting on August 16, 2025. Therefore, it is essential for both parties to continue fostering this positive shift toward peace and stability, especially to restore normalcy in both countries’ relations across all sectors, as well as for the benefit of both peoples.

Thank you.