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

Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of The Kingdom of Cambodia
1. On 25 August 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation sent a formal protest of the Royal Government of Cambodia to Thai counterpart against the latest persistent encroachment by the Thai forces into border areas between Cambodia and Thailand, especially areas where Cambodian people have been living.

2. The protest communication raised grave concerns as follows:

(a). On 25 August 2025, at 14:20 pm, the Thai military continues to take more actions by laying the barbed wire at two new locations, respectively located approximately 100 meters and 80 meters to the Southwest of the location where the Thai military laid barbed wire, nets, barriers, and tires on 12 August 2025, at the area between the Boundary Pillars No. 46-47, located in Chouk Chey Village, O Bei Chorn Commune, O Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province.

(b). These continuously unilateral encroachment activities of the Thai military by way of laying barbed wire at the aforementioned boundary segments are undermining the efforts and commitments of the two governments to implementing the ceasefire agreed on 28 July 2025, the Agreed Minutes of Extraordinary Meeting of the General Boundary Committee-GBC on 7 August 2025, and the Outcomes of Extraordinary Meeting of the Regional Border Committee-RBC Cambodia-Thailand, particularly on:
• “Both sides agreed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions, including military activities to enter the other side’s airspace and territory or positions as of the ceasefire from 24:00 hours (local time) on 28 July 2025.
• “Both sides agreed not to expand the scope and scale of the disputes, including provocative activities that may escalate tensions.

(c). Moreover, attempts by any party to unilaterally demarcate the border through the use of military means are contrary to the spirit of the MOU 2000. The attempts not only violate the mandate of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) but also undermine the efforts and negotiation process of the JBC of the two sides. In addition, such actions violate the principles and purpose enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

3. The Royal Government of Cambodia urged that the Royal Thai government and Thai military maintain the status quo at the time of ceasefire, effective from 24:00 hour on 28 July 2025, take appropriate measures to prevent further violations of a similar nature, settle the above-mentioned border disputes through the GBC and JBC, as well as fully and unconditionally comply with all bilateral agreements and international obligations, including the MoU 2000, the ceasefire agreed on 28 July 2025, the Agreed Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on 7 August 2025, and the outcomes of Extraordinary Meetings of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) between Cambodia and Thailand.

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reiterates the Royal Government of Cambodia’s consistent and unwavering commitment to seeking amicable resolution to all border disputes with all its neighbours through peaceful means in accordance with international law, while remaining resolute in upholding its principled position that borders must not be changed by force.

Phnom Penh, 26 August 2025