Cambodia Reports Calm Along Border, Urges Full Thai Compliance With Ceasefire Agreement

Aug. 26, Phnom Penh — Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense reported a stable security situation along the Cambodia–Thailand border early Tuesday, reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire agreement reached on July 28 and calling on Thailand to fully implement its obligations.

Speaking at a press briefing at 7 a.m., ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said the situation in Military Region 4, covering Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces, remained calm and under control between midnight and 6 a.m. Cambodian forces, she said, continue to uphold the ceasefire and the 13-point agreement adopted at the Aug. 7 General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, observed by Malaysia, the United States and China.

The ministry raised concern over an incident on Aug. 25 in Banteay Meanchey province, where Thai military personnel attempted to install barbed wire fencing in Chok Chey village. Cambodian landowners and local residents resisted the action, prompting Thai forces to withdraw. Socheata emphasized that Cambodian authorities present at the scene remained unarmed and acted professionally to ensure civilian safety.

Cambodia reiterated its call for Thailand to respect the ceasefire and the spirit of the Aug. 22 Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting between Cambodia’s Military Region 5 and Thailand’s 1st Army Area, which urged restraint and non-expansion of disputed areas. All border-related disputes, Socheata said, must be resolved through the Joint Boundary Committee in accordance with the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding.

On Aug. 25, Cambodian and Thai military secretariat teams met at the Choam Sa-ngam International Border Checkpoint to prepare for RBC meetings scheduled for Aug. 26 and 27. Brig. Gen. Nith Narong and Col. Yuthasat Senthachai will lead the respective delegations.

Also on Tuesday, the Ministry of National Defense, in coordination with the Interim Observer Team (IOT) led by Malaysia and joined by Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam, began an official visit to Banteay Meanchey to assess the situation on the ground.

Cambodia renewed its demand for the return of 18 military personnel allegedly detained by Thai forces on July 29, immediately after the ceasefire took effect. As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, their detention had lasted 27 days, 23 hours and 10 minutes.

“The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the international community will continue to demand Thailand’s compliance with international law,” Socheata said. “We will never abandon any of our family members.”

She added that full implementation of the ceasefire would pave the way for peace, stability and normalcy between the two countries, reflecting the aspirations of both peoples and the broader international community.

Cambodia remains committed to working constructively with Thailand, ASEAN partners, and global stakeholders to ensure peaceful resolution of disputes and uphold the principles of the UN and ASEAN charters.