4:00 PM, August 24, 2025
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 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 24 August 2025 up to 16:00 PM this afternoon, the situation at the frontline, Military Region 4 and Region 5—Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Banteay Meanchey Provinces—remains calm and steady under the control of our military forces. Cambodian military forces stand strong and remain fully vigilant in defending the country, 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 7 August 2025, under the observation of Malaysia, the United States of America, and the People’s Republic of China.
2. The Secretariat Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Military Region Border Committee (RBC) between the Military Region 5 of Cambodia and the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defense Command of Thailand was co-chaired by Major General Sar Kimpak, Head of the Cambodian Secretariat, and Captain Kittiphon Kunsiripanyo, Head of the Thai Secretariat. The meeting commenced at 9:25 AM and concluded at 2:00 PM on August 24, 2025, hosted by Cambodia, in PailinProvince, in accordance with the program agreed upon by both sides.
After the meeting commenced, both parties reviewed the detailed points to be included in the agreed minutes. Following the discussions, the Secretariat Meeting of the Cambodian-Thailand Regional Border Committee (RBC) between Cambodia’s Military Region 5 and Thailand’s Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defense Command proceeded with noteworthy significant positive developments in preparation for the upcoming Extraordinary Meeting of the Cambodian-Thailand Regional Border Committee (RBC) between Cambodia’s Military Region 5 and Thailand’s Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defense Command scheduled for tomorrow, August 25, 2025. It is anticipated that the meetings would yield further positive results, allowing both sides to fully implement the ceasefire, restoring peace, stability, and normalcy to the relationship between the two countries.
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 day and night for their return. It is also important to note that Thai soldiers illegally captured these Cambodian military soldiers immediately after the ceasefire took effect on the morning of 29 July 2025; as of 4:00 PM on 24 August 2025, their detention has lasted 26days, 8 hours, and 10 minutes.
The Ministry of National Defense, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and the International Community will continually demand that Thailand uphold its obligations under international law, and we wish to underscore that we will never abandon or leave any one of our family members isolated.
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 not only something that our two people aspire, but also it is the wishing of the whole world as clearly proven by the many messages of congratulations and support for the ceasefire agreement and the positive outcome of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee Extraordinary Meeting.
Cambodia is committed to working constructively, sincerely, and in close cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, other ASEAN member countries, as well as relevant partners, such as the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, to ensure the effective and full implementation of the ceasefire and to resolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter. The Royal Government, the Armed Forces, and the Cambodian people stand firmly united and resolutely determined to defend our territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and dignity.
Thank you.
