Summary of Press Briefing on the briefing to the diplomatic corps and international organisations by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the latest developments regarding the Thai - Cambodian border situation

By the Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson

on 12 November 2025 at 11:30 hrs.

MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / TikTok LIVE

• H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered a diplomatic briefing, together with Ms. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Piyapak Sricharoen, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs, on the latest developments concerning the situation on the Thai - Cambodian border following the recent landmine incident in the Huai Ta Maria area, Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket province, on 10 November 2025, as well as actions being taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs going forward.
  
  
• In attendance were ambassadors and representatives from 68 countries, 1 organization, and 6 international organizations, totaling 100

1. Landmine Incident Involving Thai Soldiers

• The Foreign Minister briefed the diplomatic corps on the facts and information regarding the incident on 10 November 2025, in which Thai soldiers stepped on landmines in the Huai Ta Maria area, Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket province. This latest landmine incident has resulted in a total of four more Thai personnel wounded, with one more sustaining a permanent disability.
  
  
• The Foreign Minister also explained that the area where the incident occurred was a usual patrol route that had previously been encroached upon by the Cambodian side. Following the on-site investigation, the Thai side discovered fragments of a PMN-2 landmine in the crater and surrounding area, as well as three additional PMN-2 landmines around the crater. This, in addition to other evidence and assessments made, proves once again that new landmines were covertly planted within Thai territory by the Cambodian side after the ceasefire and the signing of the Joint Declaration.

2. The Joint Declaration

• The Foreign Minister reiterated that Thailand attaches great significance to the Joint Declaration between the Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Cambodia on the outcomes of their meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, signed by both parties in Kuala Lumpur, because it is a document meant to pave the way for sustainable peace. However, the genuine and sincere commitment of both parties is needed to fully implement it.
  
  
• The Foreign Minister proceeded to brief the diplomatic corps on the outcomes of the meeting of the National Security Council on 11 November 2025, which was called and chaired by the Prime Minister to assess the situation following the landmine incident.
  
  
• The Foreign Minister also said that the meeting recognized the significant progress made in implementing the Joint Declaration and expressed deep regret for the violation of the Joint Declaration committed by the Cambodian side through the planting of landmines within Thai territory.
  
  
• These actions constitute a breach of Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, caused injuries to Thai personnel, and reflect a violation by the Cambodian side of its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention, to which it is a State Party. Most importantly, this reflects Cambodia’s lack of sincerity in de-escalating tensions.
  
  
• For these reasons, Thailand has no choice but to pause the implementation of the Joint Declaration, including the postponement of the release of 18 Cambodian detainees.
  
  
• The Foreign Minister also shared that Thailand is calling on the Cambodian side to proceed on three accounts: (1) deliver an apology to the families of the injured; (2) conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and hold those involved in this incident accountable; and (3) implement effective measures to prevent any future recurrence. All of this should be done while engaging the AOT.
  
  
• Thailand will reconsider the feasibility and appropriateness of resuming implementation of the Joint Declaration once the Cambodian side has demonstrated accountability and once all hostilities have truly ceased.

3. Actions taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Following the incident on 10 November 2025, the Foreign Minister directly communicated to his counterpart, H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia, to lodge an initial protest. Since the incident, contact has been made twice in total – first while he was in Hong Kong on 10 November 2025, and once again yesterday.
  
  
• The Ministry has also issued a formal protest letter to the Cambodian side, which has been received by the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.
  
  
• Going forward, Thailand will proceed in accordance with the obligations under the Ottawa Convention, and will submit reports to Japan, as the current President of the Meeting of the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, as well as to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The 22^nd Meeting of the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention will also be held during 1 - 5 December 2025.
  
  
• The Foreign Minister further informed Thailand’s diplomatic counterparts that Thailand will provide the international community with the facts surrounding the incident, as well as Thailand’s position on this matter. Actions being taken will include sending formal notes to the U.S. and Malaysia, with Malaysia in its capacity as ASEAN Chair and both countries having served as witnesses to the signing of the Joint Declaration, as well as periodically briefing the diplomatic corps, as done on 12 November 2025. Thailand will also circulate these communications to all ASEAN Member States.
  
  
• The Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General around the world will also reach out to their host governments to clarify Thailand’s position regarding this incident.
  
  
• At the same time, Thailand’s security agencies will continue to provide detailed briefings to the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). The AOT will be invited to the incident site at the first available opportunity.

4. The site visit of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister to Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces

• On 11 November 2025, the Foreign Minister accompanied the Prime Minister on a site visit to Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces.
  
  
• This visit was an opportunity for the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister to (1) receive on-the-ground updates on the situation along the border, (2) inspect and offer encouragement to officials and frontline troops at an operating base in the Phu Ma Khua area, and (3) visit the soldiers wounded by the latest landmine incident in the Huai Ta Maria area, all of whom are recovering at Fort Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital.

5. Issues of Interest to the Diplomatic Corps

• To answer the question regarding Thailand's actions going forward, the Foreign Minister stated that, from now on, Thailand reserves the right to act as appropriate and in a consistent manner with the situation on the ground in order to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  
  
• To answer the question regarding the status of the Joint Declaration, the Foreign Minister responded that, at present, Thailand is pausing the implementation of the Joint Declaration. Any reconsideration will depend on the Cambodian side's position and responses to Thailand's conditions.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to reassure the public that Thailand remains firmly committed to a peaceful approach, which we have always upheld. At the same time, the Government and all relevant agencies will exert their utmost efforts to safeguard Thailand’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety and security of the Thai people. This has always been the Government’s top priority.
  
  
• Thailand reiterates our expectation that Cambodia accepts responsibility for this incident and takes measures to restore confidence — both for Thailand and for the international community — that such incidents will not occur again, and that Cambodia will fully comply with the commitments agreed upon by both sides.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1F5EQzVH3s/?mibextid=wwXIfr