Summary of Press Briefing on Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation
By the Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson
on 26 August 2025 at 15:00 hrs.
MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / TikTok LIVE

1. The case of the Ban Nong Chan area, Sa Kaeo Province

• On 25 August 2025, the Cambodian side deployed civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, to remove barbed wire and incite unrest in the area of Ban Nong Chan, Sa Kaeo Province.
• To reaffirm, the Ban Nong Chan area originally served as a temporary shelter for Cambodians fleeing combat in the past. However, after the war ended, some Cambodians refused to return to their country and further expanded their settlements over the years, despite continuous protests by Thailand due to its encroachment on Thai territory. This violates the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 2000 between Thailand and Cambodia, and the Cambodian side has never taken action in response to Thailand’s consistent protests.
• Although Thailand proposed joint management of the areas, including Ban Nong Chan, at the recent Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) Meeting on 22 August 2025, Cambodia however did not respond.
• As for the installation of barbed wire, it is within Thai territory with the intention to protect sovereignty and territorial integrity, the safety of the Thai people, and to prevent infiltration by the Cambodian side in order to place landmines. It is also to guarantee the safety of the people in Thailand, especially in Sa Kaeo province, during their site inspection to assess the land ownership for local communities. The Thai side’s actions are in line with the outcomes of the recent Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting on 7 August 2025 in Malaysia.
• Regarding the recent incident at the Ban Nong Chan area, there is a video clip as evidence to confirm that Cambodian military personnel allowed Cambodian civilians to remove barbed wire and engaged in provocative actions, such as shouting at Thai soldiers and displaying provocative and aggressive behavior. The footage also depicts a woman carrying an infant confronting Thai soldiers. Throughout these provocations, the Thai military exercised their utmost restraint and patience. It is regrettable that the Cambodian side would allow its civilians to take the frontline in place of soldiers, when, in fact, it is the duty of soldiers at the frontline to protect their people.
• Thailand condemns Cambodia’s use of civilians, particularly women and children, at the frontline trying to encroach into Thai territory. Such action is inhumane and not in line with the international humanitarian law. Thailand therefore urges the Cambodian side to immediately cease such actions, including any staged activities that exploit civilians.
• In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is sending a formal protest letter to the Cambodian side, including in relation to the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) framework.

2. Steps taken by Thailand in international arena

• Today (26 August 2025), the Foreign Minister is on his way to Geneva, Switzerland, and will be on duty there until 28 August
• The objective of this visit is to present the facts concerning the laying of anti-personnel landmines in Thai territory by the Cambodian side, which resulted in injuries and permanent disability of a number of Thai soldiers. Such act constitutes grave breaches of international law and serious violations of Cambodia’s obligations under the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention).
• The Foreign Minister will also meet with the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to stress that Thailand’s actions are in compliance with human rights and international humanitarian laws.
• Thailand will also use this opportunity to highlight Cambodia’s repeated actions that run contrary to basic humanitarian and human rights principles. These include civilian attacks, the exploitation of children on the landmines issue, the use of civilian community areas for military purposes, and instances in which children, women, and the elderly were placed at the frontlines. This includes the recent acts of provocation and the use of civilians as a technique similar to “human shields,” as witnessed on 25 August 2025, for which there is clear evidence.
• Thailand reaffirms that safety and the protection of human life and dignity must always come first. As a responsible member of the international community, Thailand continues to pursue a proactive and transparent approach, demonstrating our sincerity and good faith to engage with international mechanisms. Thailand will also work with all partners to encourage relevant organizations and countries in pressing Cambodia to honor its obligations under the Ottawa Convention, and international principles, especially international humanitarian law and on human rights, in earnest.

• Thailand remains committed to resolving differences with Cambodia through peaceful means, based on the MOU 2000 and existing bilateral mechanisms, including GBC, RBC and JBC meetings, which are functioning even during these times of high tensions. Thailand will also strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement, and expect that Cambodia will do the same.
• As the Cambodian side continues to disseminate false and distorted information in an attempt to undermine Thailand in many respects, the public is urged to exercise increased caution when receiving information and to rely on official sources. This will help ensure accuracy and prevent the widespread dissemination of misinformation and disinformation.

Watch the full session at:
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