Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

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

on 12 September 2025 at 11:00 hrs.

MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / TikTok LIVE

1. Outcomes of the 1st Special Meeting of the General Border Committee between Thailand and Cambodia

• The 1st Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) in 2025, held in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia, concluded on 10 September 2025. The Meeting was co-chaired by General Nattaphon Narkphanit, Acting Minister of Defence of Thailand, and General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia.
  
  
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the outcomes of this Meeting, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire agreement and agreed on many key issues. Of utmost importance are two major issues that the Thai side has been pushing forward all along, namely landmine clearance and suppression of online scams.
  
  
• On humanitarian demining, a Joint Coordinating Task Force will be established within one week to draw up a clearance plan and designate pilot areas, with operations to begin within one month.
  
  
• On the suppression of online crime and scams, the Ministries of Interior and national police agencies of both countries have been tasked to set up a joint task force within one week to prepare a joint action plan. Thailand has already provided information and coordinates of more than 60 scam centers in Cambodia to the Cambodian side and a further coordination meeting on this matter is scheduled for 16 September 2025 in Sa Kaeo Province.
  
  
• In addition, the meeting also discussed a number of critical issues that have a direct impact on the safety, security and the livelihoods of the people on both sides of the border. These include:
  
  
  • The removal of heavy and destructive weapons and equipment from the border areas to their respective normal positions, in accordance with the agreed timeline to be set by the Secretariats of the GBC and RBCs. This matter is highly critical as it directly concerns the safety and security of the people, and helps build confidence for those in the border areas to begin a sustainable return to their normal lives and livelihoods;
    
    
  • The management of border areas, particularly the case of Ban Nong Chan, Sa Kaeo The Meeting assigned the JBC to clarify the standing of this area, and the RBC to discuss management arrangements based on JBC outcomes. Meanwhile, the Governors of Sa Kaeo and Banteay Meanchey Provinces will continue their coordination to maintain order;
    
    
  • The de-escalation of provocative rhetoric. The Meeting acknowledged the importance of refraining from disseminating false information, fake news, accusations and harmful rhetoric, whether through official or unofficial channels, in order to de-escalate tensions, mitigate negative public sentiment, and foster an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue; and
    
    
  • On the issue of border crossings, the Meeting tasked the RBC to explore the feasibility of permitting goods transportation through selected crossings with the least tension and security concern. It must be noted that the discussion aims to help mitigate the impacts on border trade, cross-border transport, and affected businesses and people living along the border, enabling them to resume their economic activities. However, no border crossings have been reopened as of now. And there will be no exemptions for goods transportation unless there is satisfactory progress in the above-mentioned 3 areas, namely the removal of heavy weapons from the border areas, joint demining operations, and suppression of online scams.
    
    
• This Special GBC Meeting underscores the effective functioning of existing bilateral mechanisms, be they the GBC, RBC, or JBC, in resolving differences. However, the true success of this meeting depends greatly on the sincerity of the Cambodian side in honoring the agreements reached.
  
  
• The next Special GBC Meeting will be held within 30 days with Thailand as host.
  
  
• Thailand remains firmly committed to seeking peaceful ways toward sustainable solutions to the current Thai - Cambodian border issues through existing bilateral channels. Our top priorities are to protect our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to ensure the safety, security and well-being of the people, particularly in the border areas.

2. The unrest situation in Nepal and the incident in Qatar and the protection of Thai nationals by the Royal Thai Embassies

• As reported in the news regarding the situation of unrest in Nepal, following rising public dissatisfaction and a Government ban on the use of social media, protests against corruption erupted in the country, led by the Gen Z group. This was followed by the Nepalese authorities responding with stringent security measures that have unfortunately led to a number of deaths, and later the Prime Minister’s resignation. A Prohibitory Order and Curfew was in effect until 13 September 2025 at 06.00 hrs.
  
  
• Since the beginning, the Royal Thai Embassy in Kathmandu has closely monitored the situation and regularly issued warning advisories for Thai nationals. As the Nepali authority has imposed curfews, the Thai Embassy has temporarily closed, while officials and officers have worked from home, since 9 September 2025 and will reopen once the curfews are lifted.
  
  
• The Royal Thai Embassy in Kathmandu has been closely coordinating with the Ministry to assess the situation and prepare measures to assist Thai nationals. At present, there are approximately 100 Thai nationals residing in Nepal, including both staying temporarily and permanent residents, and the Embassy has been in close contact with them.
  
  
• On 10 September 2025, Tribhuvan International Airport resumed operations in accordance with the announcement of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Airlines have since gradually resumed normal services. Thai nationals wishing to return are kindly advised to contact their respective airlines to reconfirm flight schedules before proceeding to the airport.
  
  
• As reported in the news regarding the incident in Qatar on 9 September 2025, when Israeli military carried out an attack on a building suspected to be used by Hamas, located in a residential area near schools and various embassies in central Doha, which was approximately 600 meters from the Royal Thai Embassy in Doha.
  
  
• Right after the attack, the Embassy immediately issued an advisory urging Thai nationals to remain calm, exercise increased caution, avoid risk areas, and closely follow official updates from the Government of Qatar and the Embassy.
  
  
• Currently, the situation has returned to normal and there have been no further attacks. There are about 4,000 Thai nationals residing in Qatar now and there have been no reports of Thai nationals affected.

3. Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs presides over the opening ceremony of “The Colours of Africa 2025”

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-hosted the annual “Colours of Africa 2025” event on 8 September 2025 at the Central Court, CentralWorld, with H.E. Mr. Dusit Manapan, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, presiding over the opening ceremony. The event was co-hosted by African Ambassadors and Honorary Consuls to Thailand, as well as supported by the private sector, including Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited.
  
  
• The Ministry organized a variety of activities during the event, such as a choral performance by students from an award-winning school recognized by the Ministry, and an African national costume fashion show presented by representatives of the Ministry, as well as African Embassies, and African Honorary Consulates in Thailand.
  
  
• Exhibition booths were set up to promote trade, investment, culture, and tourism, along with African musical and cultural performances, cooking demonstrations, a lucky draw for airline tickets, and competitions aimed at promoting knowledge of the African region, with the participation of secondary school students from Bangkok and its satellite cities. The event also featured an art exhibition of paintings under the theme “Africa in my impression.”
  
  
• All the activities were aimed at enhancing accurate knowledge and understanding of the African region, broadening perspectives among the Thai public and youth, as well as promoting stronger ties and sustainable cooperation between Thailand and Africa.
  
  
• The Ministry will also organize a Business Forum on business and investment opportunities on 22 September 2025 to promote trade and investment prospects in Africa by sharing experiences from Thai entrepreneurs who have successfully established business operations in the region. Further details will be announced in due course.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AbW6GSBHk/?mibextid=wwXIfr