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 12:00 AM midnight on 27 August 2025 up to 6:00 AM this Morning, the situation at the frontline, Military Region 4, Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey Provinces remains calm and steady under the control of our military forces.

Military Region 5, Banteay Meanchey Province. I would also like to inform that on August 26, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia has facilitated another site visit in coordination with the Interim Observer Team (IOT) comprised of five countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, the Philippines, and Vietnam – under the leadership of Colonel Nazlee Bin Abdul Rahim, Defence Attaché of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Cambodia. The team headed to Banteay Meanchey Province yesterday, in order to observe, verify, and report on the update situation on the ground in several areas at the Border Post No. 47 in Chok Chey Village, Ou Beichoan Commune, Ou Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province.

2. The secretariat meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Regional Border Committee (RBC) between the 4th military region of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the 2nd Army Area of the Kingdom of Thailand was held on August 26, 2025. The meeting achieved significant and positive progress in preparation for the extraordinary meeting of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) between Cambodia and Thailand.

On 27 August 2025, the Extraordinary Meeting of RBC will be held today at the International Border Checkpoint, Choam Sa-ngam, Oddar Meanchey province. The Cambodia delegation is led by Lieutenant General Pov Heng, the commander of the military region 4. The Thai delegation is led by Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, the commander of military region 2. It is anticipated that this meeting will yield a more positive outcome, encouraging both parties to fully and effectively implement the ceasefire, which will lead to peace, stability, and restoration of relations between the two nations as soon as possible.

I would like to inform you that there has been great development, particularly since the special meeting held on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya, which resulted in the ceasefire agreement between the two countries and the fruitful conclusion of the Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on August 7, 2025, and this was proven by the adoption of the 13-point Agreed Minutes.

These positive outcomes clearly demonstrate that Cambodia and Thailand have collaborated constructively and kept positively progressing through the example of the holding of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) between Cambodia and Thailand’s military region, namely, the extraordinary RBC meeting between Cambodia’s military region 3 and Thailand’s Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command held on August 16, 2025, in Trat Province, and the meeting between Cambodia’s military region 5 and Thailand’s commandment of the 1st Army Area concluded on August 22, 2025, in Sa Kaeo Province. The meeting between Cambodia’s Military Region 5 and Thailand’s Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command was held on August 25, 2025, with Cambodia as the host. This meeting was concluded with clear confirmation of commitment from both parties to respect and implement the ceasefire as well as the effort to improve the border situation and bilateral relations for mutual benefit.

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 right after the ceasefire took effect on the morning of 29 July 2025; as of 7:00 AM on 26 August 2025, their detention has lasted 28 days, 23 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 behind.

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 side’s 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 all relevant partners, such as the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, so as to ensure the effective and full implementation of the ceasefire and to resolve all disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter. The Royal Government, the Armed Forces, and the people of Cambodia stand firmly united and resolutely determined to defend our territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and dignity.

Thank you.