Summary of the Weekly Press Briefing
by the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy MFA Spokesperson
on 18 February 2026 at 11:00 hrs.
MFA Press Conference Room

1. The Minister of Foreign Affairs to lead the Diplomatic Corps on a study visit to Surat Thani Province
   
   

• From 19 to 21 February 2026, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will lead members of the Diplomatic Corps and spouses, on a study visit to Surat Thani Province to participate in the 2026 Study Visit on Royal Initiatives and to learn more about Thailand’s potential and the Thai identity. The programme aims to disseminate knowledge of the role of Royal development initiatives in improving the people’s quality of life and well-being, to promote a comprehensive understanding of Thailand, particularly local wisdom and community ways of life, as well as to showcase the economic and tourism potential of different regions of the country.
  
  
• The Ministry has organized this programme annually since 2002. In addition to enhancing the diplomatic corps’ understanding of Thailand, the programme also helps promote cooperation between foreign missions in Thailand and government agencies at both the central and regional levels. Over the years, it has enabled members of the diplomatic community to further develop concrete cooperation with local authorities on numerous occasions.
  
  
• This year’s programme will focus on showcasing the cultural diversity and social harmony of communities in southern Thailand, while highlighting the tangible outcomes of applying the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy at all levels of society. It will also emphasize the promotion of Thai textiles, which serve as a clear example of the preservation and further development of local wisdom, as well as a means to enhance the capacity and resilience of local communities amid the rapidly changing global economic landscape. In addition, the programme will provide members of the diplomatic corps with the opportunity to experience the region’s rich history, unity in diversity, multicultural society, and the natural beauty of southern Thailand.

2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend the High-Level Segment of the 61^st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland
   
   

• During 23-25 February 2026, E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is traveling to Geneva next week to attend the High-Level Segment of the 61^st session of the Human Rights Council (HRC).
  
  
• At the HRC session, the Foreign Minister will deliver a statement underscoring the human rights dimension of online scam networks. This includes issues such as victimization, financial fraud, forced labor, deprivation of liberty, psychological violence, and violations of human dignity, all of which have economic and social impacts on many countries, including those in Southeast Asia. He will highlight Thailand’s role as the host of the International Conference on the Global Partnership against Online Scams, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), held in December last year. He will also present Thailand’s progress in the promotion and protection of human rights in its capacity as member of the Human Rights Council for the term 2025-2027.
  
  
• The Foreign Minister will also take the opportunity to hold meetings with senior United Nations officials, including the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to discuss ways to further enhance cooperation between Thailand and the United Nations across various dimensions, as well as to exchange views on key regional developments, particularly the Thailand-Cambodia border situation. This will provide Thailand with an opportunity to clarify the facts regarding Thailand’s actions, which are firmly grounded in international law, human rights principles, and international humanitarian law, and are fully consistent with the Joint Statement between Thailand and Cambodia signed on 27 December 2025.
  
  
• In addition, the Foreign Minister is scheduled to attend a reception hosted by the Republic of Zambia in its capacity as President of the 23^rd Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention. This will provide another valuable opportunity for the Thai side to engage with the President, to reaffirm Thailand’s full commitment to the Convention, and to call for action to be taken against any States Parties that violate the Convention.
  
  
• Prior to traveling to Geneva, the Foreign Minister will make a stop in Paris and will have discussions with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as well.

3. Developments of the Thailand - Cambodia border situation
   
   

• After the signing of the Joint Statement between Thailand and Cambodia, which led to the ceasefire on 27 December 2025, there are six updates on the situation, as follows:

• First, the border situation has remained relatively calm. Local residents have been able to gradually resume their normal lives. Thailand has strictly respected and adhered to the Joint Statement. In the discussions with friendly countries, their message is clear. All welcome the ceasefire agreement and wish to see it sustained. They further expressed strong support for Thailand and Cambodia to return to the negotiation table.

• Second, the bilateral mechanisms have gradually resumed their functions.
  
  
• The Foreign Minister has held regular communications with H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia.
  
  
• In the military domain, both sides maintain regular and direct lines of communication between their Ministers of Defense and Chiefs of Defense Forces, as well as at the border and local levels, in line with the spirit of the Joint Statement.
  
  
• These coordination mechanisms play a vital role in addressing urgent situations, verifying facts, and conveying concerns in a timely manner, thereby helping to prevent misunderstandings between the two sides. As already demonstrated, both sides have been able to promptly manage incidents which occurred along the border.
  
  
• In the past 2 months, three formal meetings of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) have been convened in different border areas. These meetings have provided valuable opportunities for the local military of both sides to engage in substantive discussions on the management of the area with a view to sustaining the ceasefire. Although both sides could not yet reach consensus, this nonetheless already represents a positive development. The two sides have engaged in dialogue and will continue their negotiations towards a mutually acceptable conclusion. Negotiations on sensitive matters may require time while outcomes cannot always be achieved in one single meeting.
  
  
• With regard to the issue of the land boundary, it is expected that the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) will resume its work once we have our new Government formally in place.

• Third, Thailand will respond appropriately with regard to actions inconsistent with commitments made under international law. For example, in the case of anti-personnel landmines, once such an incident takes place, Thailand is obliged to report and proceed within the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention) framework as a responsible State Party to that Convention.

• Fourth, Thailand wishes to see a sustainable ceasefire. It is therefore essential for Thailand and Cambodia to work together in earnest to foster an atmosphere conducive to rebuilding mutual trust. The incoming Government of Thailand will further consider the appropriate way forward for the restoration of bilateral relations between the two countries.
  
  
• However, at present, Thailand remains concerned that Cambodia continues with its provocative actions, especially by disseminating distorted information, making unfounded allegations against Thailand, and presenting false and distorted accounts to the international community and international organizations. These actions have taken various forms, including the issuance of press releases and official statements, as well as through other outreach efforts in multilateral fora such as UNESCO, OIF and AMM Retreat, for which Thailand has consistently monitored, responded to, and clarified the facts at all times and in every forum, including within the UNESCO framework. These actions by Cambodia are inconsistent with the Joint Statement, and undermine efforts to foster a more constructive atmosphere and for both sides to move forward.
  
  
• Thailand therefore calls upon Cambodia to make full use of the established communication channels between the respective information centers of the two countries, which is a more constructive way to handle the situation. As agreed in the Joint Statement, the joint information centers serve as the primary focal points for addressing misinformation and disinformation.
  
  
  
• In addition, Thailand urges Cambodia to exercise strict discipline upon its military personnel along the border to prevent any provocative actions that would run counter to the spirit of the ceasefire. As for Thailand, to date, we have exercised utmost restraint and strictly adhered to peaceful resolution.
  
  
• Fifth, it has been the Government’s top priority all along, to ensure the safety and security of the Thai people, while defending our sovereignty and national interests.
  
  
• On the diplomatic front, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has continued to clarify the relevant facts to ensure that the international community receives accurate information across all relevant fora. In particular, it has underscored that Thailand’s actions along the border are fully consistent with the Joint Statement.
  
  
• This week, a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is scheduled to conduct a third visit to the border provinces to assess the humanitarian impacts from the border situation. This reflects Thailand’s transparency and commitment to complying with international humanitarian law.
  
  
• Next week, the Foreign Minister will lead a delegation to attend the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) meeting in Geneva and have the chance to meet with several UN agencies there. This is an opportunity to reassure the international community of Thailand’s commitment to the Joint Statement and peaceful resolution through bilateral mechanisms, while always upholding international law, including international human rights and humanitarian laws.
  
  
• Lastly, Thailand reaffirms its commitment to working hand in hand with the international community to combat the global threat of online scams at all levels, be they bilateral, ASEAN and global.
  
  
• Last December, Thailand hosted an international conference on this issue and has actively advanced it at the AMM Retreat held in the Philippines last month. All participating countries expressed appreciation for Thailand’s leadership and their readiness to further enhance cooperation with Thailand.
  
  
• At the bilateral level, Thailand seeks to work closely with Cambodia to dismantle these criminal networks, as they have caused significant harm to Thai citizens. Thailand sincerely hopes that Cambodia will extend full and more tangible cooperation in this matter, in line with the public commitments expressed by the Cambodian Government itself.

Watch the full session at: https://fb.watch/Fl3Ilw1hgS/?