Summary of the Press Briefing on the Thailand - Cambodia border situation and other updates on 15 November 2025

Summary of the Press Briefing
on the Thailand - Cambodia border situation and other updates

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

on 15 November 2025 at 14:15 hrs.
MFA Press Conference Room

1. Salient points of a phone conversation between the Thai Prime Minister and the President of the United States of America

• On 14 November 2025, H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister, had a phone conversation with The Honorable Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, with H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, also present.
• The U.S. President inquired about the latest situation between Thailand and Cambodia, which allowed the Prime Minister the opportunity to underline that both sides must adhere to the commitments mutually agreed upon to enable the achievement of peace. Therefore, Thailand expressed regret that Cambodia was the first to violate those agreements reached between the two parties, particularly in the case of landmines. This is a critical agreement in the Joint Declaration, agreed by both Thailand and Cambodia, namely to clear unexploded landmines along the border and not to plant new ones.
• The Prime Minister also explained that Thailand has seen Cambodia continue to evade and distort facts regarding a recent landmine incident that injured and maimed Thai soldiers without substantiated arguments. The Prime Minister personally inspected the scene and can confirm that new landmines were illegally planted. He further briefed President Trump that on 14 November 2025, Thailand also invited a third party, the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), to investigate the incident.
• The U.S. President inquired about Thailand's expectations for resolving this issue, to which the Prime Minister confirmed that Thailand remains committed to peace. But Cambodia must acknowledge the facts and take responsibility, including implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Prime Minister also underlined that Thailand must be able to begin demining operations in the 13 areas previously discussed with Cambodia without any obstruction to the operations, to ensure the safety of the people on both sides.
• The U.S. President expressed his understanding and committed discuss this matter with Cambodia. He emphasized that both the U.S. and Malaysia are ready to support and enable both sides to move forward in the peace process. The U.S. had no intention of interfering with the resolution of issues between the two countries through their existing bilateral mechanisms.
• The Prime Minister underlined that Thailand has been firmly committed to advancing the path to peace. However, in the current situation, Thailand must reserve the right to take the necessary actions to protect Thailand's sovereignty. Cambodia has to demonstrate commitment to peace.

2. Salient Points of a phone conversation between the Thai Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Malaysia

• Following the phone conversation with the U.S. President, the Prime Minister also had a phone conversation with H.E. Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, to share key points that were discussed with the U.S. President. The Prime Minister of Malaysia expressed his understanding and as ASEAN Chair, he committed to finding ways to advance the peace process while taking into account the Thai side's proposal.
• The Prime Minister informed the Prime Minister of Malaysia that he reiterated to the U.S. that demining was the core of the agreements contained in the Joint Declaration.

3. Issue of Trade Negotiations with the U.S.

• On 14 November 2025, Thailand received a letter from U.S. Deputy Trade Representative temporarily suspending negotiations under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade Framework between Thailand and the U.S., and informing that negotiations could resume once Thailand "reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Joint Declaration" with the hope that a solution to this matter could be reached as soon as possible.
• Thailand expressed disappointment with this approach as Thailand has consistently underlined that security and safety issues-particularly those that are of a bilateral nature between Thailand and Cambodia-must not be linked to trade matters being discussed between Thailand and the U.S., which represent the mutual interest of Thailand and the U.S.
• At the same time, the U.S. President earlier emphasized to the Prime Minister during their phone discussion that the U.S. does not intend to interfere in the resolution of issues between the two countries through the existing bilateral mechanisms.
• For Thailand, international trade issues and third-country tariff measures are matters of economic policy that are carefully considered within trade cooperation frameworks, with the interest of negotiating partners as a priority. The Government continues to pursue policies to expand economic opportunities through free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, opening new markets, and participating in international economic cooperation frameworks in order to maintain Thailand's competitiveness on the global stage.
• Thailand remains willing and recognizes the constructive role of the U.S. in supporting Thailand and Cambodia in de-escalating tensions, in order to pave the way toward lasting peace, as reflected in the recent discussions between the Prime Minister and the U.S. President, and Thailand will advance ahead based firmly on our national interests and commitment towards a sustainable peace.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15piW67iHt/?mibextid=wwXIfr