Press Conference

on Developments on the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation

Monday, 9 June 2025

MFA Press Conference Room and via MFA Facebook LIVE / TIKTOK LIVE

1. Yesterday evening, we received reports that the Thai and Cambodian forces had jointly surveyed the border area and adjusted the terrain to its original state as mutually agreed. Both sides also redeployed troops to prior positions as in 2024.

2. The Thai side believes that this latest positive development is indeed a good sign. It reflects the good intentions of the Cambodian side to reduce tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, after fruitful negotiations at all levels by both sides. We hope this development will lead to a peaceful solution in the long term, based on respect and the genuine willingness of both sides to address the issue through existing bilateral mechanisms, making the environment conducive for the upcoming Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting, to be held in 5 days from now.

3. The JBC was established in 2000 as a technical mechanism to discuss the survey and demarcation of land boundary. Up until now, there have been 10 JBC meetings (5 ordinary sessions and 5 extraordinary sessions). The most recent was the 5^th ordinary session, held in 2012 in Bangkok. In the past 25 years, the JBC has produced significant progress in many areas. Namely, there is the case of the Thailand-Cambodia Friendship Bridge (Ban Nong Ian-Stung Bot) and the construction of the New Border Bridge at National Border Check Point Ban Pak Kard, Chanthaburi Province.

4. The Thai side sincerely hopes that the next JBC meeting, to be hosted by Cambodia on 14 June 2025 in Phnom Penh, will help reduce the tensions further. We are committed to peace, security and the safety of the people on both sides of the border, and to a peaceful and sustainable solution. The Thai side reaffirms its readiness to participate in the JBC meeting in good faith. We look forward to the cooperation and sincere determination of both sides to strengthen our bilateral relations.

5. The Royal Thai Government underlines the importance of using the bilateral mechanisms that Thailand and Cambodia have in place, such as the JBC, together with the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC), the Regional Border Committee (RBC), and bilateral negotiations at all levels, both military and civilian.

6. Currently, Thailand’s control measures at various border crossing points are still in effect. The priority and objective is to maintain peace and order in the area, and the safety of people on both sides. In addition, the Thai Border Security Enforcement Center (BSEC) has announced that it would enhance measures to combat transnational crime such as human trafficking along the Thai-Cambodian border, for instance by suspending the export of electricity and internet signals to areas believed to be the sites of gambling and scamming operations. This decision will be presented to the National Security Council for approval in due course.

7. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to seek the cooperation of members of the media and the public at large to be cautious about disseminating unverified information and avoid spreading news that may be inciteful in the absence of verified facts or clear evidence. This is to prevent misunderstanding and avoid fueling further tensions.

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