Keynote Address by H.E. Nong Sakal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC):

Dear Members of the Press,

Today, I would like to brief you on recent developments regarding the Cambodia–Thailand border situation within the framework of diplomatic efforts and international measures undertaken by Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as follows:

1. On Diplomatic Measures after the Ceasefire:

Following the ceasefire agreed to by both parties, which entered into effect on 28 July 2025, and to ensure transparency of the ceasefire implementation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia implemented a number of measures:

On field trip:

The MoFAIC organized four field trips for the diplomatic corps, representatives of UN regional agencies, and international organizations to examine the actual situation on the ground in affected areas along the Cambodia–Thailand border. So, from 1 to 23 August 2025, we have conducted four field trips for the diplomatic corps and international organisations representatives.

On findings and observations of the field visits:

During these observation visits (from 1 to 22 August), foreign diplomats and observers noted many changes, including activities conducted by the other party that constituted violations of the agreed ceasefire. These included:

– Installation of barbed wire and black nets,
– Placement of tire barricades,
– Firing of rubber bullets,
– Drone incursions into Cambodian territory,
– Digging of trenches and building of shelters for troops,
– Movement of armed forces,
– Destruction of Cambodian civilian infrastructure,
– Continued unlawful detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers until today.

During the fourth visit (22–23 August), friends/diplomats expressed serious concern and observed clear violations, such as Thai troops placing barbed wire around Cambodian civilian homes. Diplomats and observers appealed to both sides to exercise utmost restraint, engage in dialogue, and seek peaceful solutions in accordance with international law so that the situation may return to normalcy.

2. International Measures:

So far Cambodia has actively undertaken diplomatic and international measures to resolve the issue peacefully—we have officially notified the UN Secretary-General, the President of the UN Security Council, the ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretary-General, and several friendly countries, with the purpose of informing them that:

1. Cambodia respects the ceasefire and wants peace;
2. Cambodia upholds and respect rules-based international law;
3. Cambodia respects the ASEAN Charter and the UN Charter;
4. Cambodia urges Thailand to strictly observe the spirit of the ceasefire agreement;
5. Cambodia encourages the establishment of an ASEAN-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism in a quick manner;
6. Cambodia has notified the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regarding the unlawful detention of Cambodian soldiers by Thailand;
7. Cambodia has notified the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, urging urgent attention to Thailand’s unlawful detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers;
8. Cambodia has engaged with the United States, which actively encouraged the ceasefire, to help persuade Thailand to respect the ceasefire and end its illegal occupation of Cambodian territory;
9. Cambodia has lodged official protests against the other sides [Thailand]’s violations, including the installation of barbed wire, nets, tire barricades, and encirclement of Cambodian villages.

These are the points that we have raised and conveyed to the UN Security Council and other relevant parties, outlining both our concerns and our proposals.

These actions constitute diplomatic measures that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has so far implemented, and Cambodia will continue to pursue them with utmost care and firmness until the issue is finally resolved.
3. Implementation of Agreed Mechanisms:

Cambodia will continue to resolve the border issue with Thailand peacefully, based on international law, respect for the ASEAN Charter and the UN Charter, and by continuing to work through the RBC, GBC, and JBC mechanisms while also promoting multilateral approaches.

4. Future Directions: Cambodia will:

– Promote the establishment of an ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) as a monitoring mechanism to guarantee the ceasefire while ensuring the effectiveness of the International Observer Team (IOT);

– Continue to seek joint measures yielding mutual benefits, such as strengthening cooperation against cross-border crimes, including online scams; humanitarian mine clearance at designated areas; and initiatives benefiting socio-economic development; public security;and safety to all sides;

– Advance negotiations to reopen border crossings and restore normal trade exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.

In this regard, we would like to take this opportunity to call upon Thailand to cooperate in creating a conducive atmosphere for confidence-building, with a view to fostering peaceful resolution between the two sides, aimed at bringing the situation back to normal as soon as possible.

Cambodia firmly upholds its sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with maps defined by the historical treaties of 1904 and 1907, as well as the 2000 MOU, which have long been mutually recognized by both countries.

Thank you