Summary of Press Briefing on the Thailand - Cambodia Border Situation

by the Minister of Foreign Affairs

On 5 August 2025 at 15:00 hrs.

MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / Tik Tok LIVE

1. Steps taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• On 4 August 2025, the Ministry organized a briefing on the Thailand - Cambodia border tensions for the Diplomatic Corps and representatives of International Organizations based in Thailand. The Foreign Minister provided accurate information on what has happened and Thailand’s position Thailand on various issues. The session was attended by 75 diplomatic missions, 1 organization (European Union) and 16 international organizations, reflecting strong interest from the international community.
  
  
• The Foreign Minister emphasized that Thailand has never sought tension with Cambodia, nor does Thailand benefit from it in any way. However, as Cambodia was the first one who initiated the attacks, including targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, Thailand has no other choice but to act in self-defense in accordance with international law.
  
  
• Thailand did not attack first, has never violated the ceasefire agreement and always honors international obligations. Most importantly, the Thai side never spreads disinformation or fake news. The Thai Government remains firmly committed to resolving the border issue with Cambodia through existing bilateral mechanisms with sincerity and in good faith, and hopes that the Cambodian side will reciprocate in the same spirit.
  
  
• On fake news, since information warfare and the dissemination of disinformation continues unabated, the Ministry urges everyone to exercise caution with information received and do not be surprised by any fake news being disseminated from the Cambodian side, which is starting to be a very systematic and regular practice. Cambodia’s latest fake news is about Thailand’s alleged plan to assassinate Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet.
  
  
• Ambassadors at Embassies and Consulates-General around the world are now actively disseminating accurate information, along with Thailand’s positions and adherence to international principles, to host countries and those within their respective jurisdictions. They have also engaged with relevant organizations, local media, and Thai communities in those areas. This is to ensure that the international community understands Thailand’s approach and positions, especially our commitment to resolving the tensions peacefully, through bilateral negotiations with sincerity and in good faith. I have also been informed that in many places, Thai communities abroad have come together to express and affirm Thailand’s position to the world.
  
  
• On 7 August 2025, the Foreign Minister will hold an online meeting with Ambassadors and Consuls-General around the world to reaffirm the Ministry’s proactive role in advancing the dissemination of factual information — supported by verifiable and evidence-based proof — to emphasize Thailand’s sincerity and its role as a responsible member of the international community.
  
  
• On 4 August 2025, the MFA Spokesperson and the MFA Deputy Spokesperson engaged in a candid and constructive exchange of views with local and international media on communication to the public, as well as reporting on the current Thailand - Cambodia border situation, at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT). This is important especially against the backdrop of widespread disinformation and public reactions on both sides.
  
  
• Earlier today, the Foreign Minister met with Hon. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand and discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation, especially a joint mechanism to lessen consequences from U.S. tariff measures and promote constructive development of the supply chain system for mutual benefits of both countries.

2. The field visit to detained Cambodian soldiers by the ICRC

• Today (5 August 2025), the Royal Thai Army and the Ministry arranged a field visit to a detention center under the Second Army Area’s responsibility for the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to observe the living conditions of 18 Cambodian soldiers who are currently under Thai custody and to be a channel of communication with their families. Earlier, on 1 August 2025, two Cambodian prisoners of war, one of whom was injured from the combat and the other suffering from a mental health condition, were repatriated to Cambodia.
  
  
• Following the detention, the Thai Army immediately relocated these Cambodian soldiers to a secure place, provided them with medical check-up and treatment, as well as food, drinking water and clothing in accordance with international standards.
  
  
• This visit of the representatives of this international organization is a testament to the transparency of Thailand’s conduct, especially its treatment of prisoners of war in accordance with humanitarian principles under the Geneva Conventions and international law, as well as in line with the rules and established humanitarian practices of the ICRC.
  
  
• Thailand reaffirms that the detention of these 20 Cambodian soldiers occurred during renewed hostilities initiated by Cambodia in breach of the ceasefire agreement, as these soldiers encroached to launch attacks in Thai territory. The Third Geneva Convention also allows for the release of prisoners of war after the cessation of active hostilities, not merely upon a ceasefire.
  
  
• Apart from the detained Cambodian soldiers, there is another concern which is the case of the Cambodian soldiers who lost their lives during the armed clashes along the border. Their remains have yet to be collected. In this regard, the Thai side would like to urge the Cambodian side to retrieve the remains of these soldiers and return them to their families, as a gesture of respect and honor for the combatants. This is necessary to prevent the outbreak of epidemics and potential public health risks, which could affect the well-being of the communities living on both sides of the border.
  
  

3. The General Border Committee (GBC) meeting

• Today (5 August 2025), the Secretariat-level meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) has entered its second day before the Extraordinary GBC meeting to be held on 7 August 2025. On the Thai side, General Natthaphon Narkphanit, Acting Minister of Defense, will lead the Thai delegation to the Extraordinary GBC meeting. Malaysia, the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China will also participate in the meeting as observers.
  
  
• Thailand commenced this GBC meeting with the ultimate goal of wanting to see the effective implementation of a sustainable ceasefire. The Secretariat-level meeting is discussing these issues, including the draft agenda relating to the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement.
  
  
• On 4 August 2025, the Foreign Minister received a phone call from Malaysian Foreign Minister Hasan inviting the Minister to a consultation of 3 Foreign Ministers from Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia on the ongoing effort to resolve the border problem between Thailand and Cambodia. The Foreign Minister conveyed his sincere appreciation for the constructive role of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, and informed that the first priority is to wait for the outcome of the GBC meeting between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the implementation of the ceasefire. The Malaysian Foreign Minister also expressed his understanding and agreed with Thailand’s view. The Foreign Minister also raised Thailand’s concerns with the Malaysian Foreign Minister regarding disinformation coming out from Cambodia and requested that the Malaysian Foreign Minister emphasize to Cambodia the need to stop, so it would not adversely affect the situation and the GBC process.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EZkC4LhT7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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