Summary of Press Briefing on the Thailand - Cambodia Border Situation on 19 September 2025

Summary of Press Briefing on the Thailand - Cambodia Border Situation

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

on 19 September 2025 at 11:00 hrs.

MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / TikTok LIVE

• The latest update of the Thailand - Cambodia border situation regarding the incursion and protest by Cambodian nationals in Ban Nong Ya Kaew, Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province, and immediately thereafter, the letters from the Cambodian side addressed to world leaders, including the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the current ASEAN Chair, and the United Nations Secretary-General.
• On 17 September 2025, a Cambodian crowd of more than 200 persons encroached on Thai territory to stage a protest and to remove security barricades in Ban Nong Ya Kaew placed as a defensive, protective measure. The incident resulted in injuries to Thai officials and constitutes unlawful offences under Thai law. The Royal Thai Army has already provided a clarification, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a statement in support.

Firstly,

• Since the ceasefire agreement was reached on 28 July 2025 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, the Thai side has strictly abided by every article of the said agreement, all along.
• Thailand considers this agreement a milestone that paves the way toward peace. Since then, the sound of gunfire and explosions has subsided, but it is very much regrettable that the Cambodian side continues to carry out provocative actions in other forms, which are also inconsistent with the conditions of the ceasefire.
• The unrest at Ban Nong Ya Kaew on 17 September 2025 was a direct result of such provocations. The installation of security barriers was undertaken well within Thailand's sovereign territory. Thai officials have exercised the utmost restraint throughout this incident and repeatedly provided explanations to the Cambodian nationals, but to no avail. The Thai crowd control police were compelled to intervene, using internationally-accepted practices. All actions by the Thai police were proportionate and appropriate to the circumstances, taken on a step-by-step basis, adhering to human rights principles, and prevented the situation from escalating into further violence.
• Instigations and incitements to protest and unrest by the Cambodian side in the said area is tantamount to using civilians as human shields. Such actions are against international law, inhumane, irresponsible, unconstructive, and clearly taken without due regard for the safety and interests of the people.

Secondly,

• Thailand and Cambodia have both committed to the Putrajaya Ceasefire Agreement, as well as discussed and negotiated notable outcomes in two subsequent General Border Committee (GBC) meetings.
• But the two countries have chosen to walk down two very different paths following these important agreements. The first is a path of conflict and instigation, which can only lead to further losses. The second is a path of cooperation, which is needed to pave the way for peace. Thailand has always opted for the latter path because we are a peace-seeking and peace-loving nation. Thailand never wanted violence.
• The installation of barbed-wire fencing or security barricades within Thailand's sovereign territory in the Ban Nong Ya Kaew was undertaken to ensure the safety and security of the people on both sides and to prevent potential clashes. It is an effort to avoid walking down the path of conflict, and instead to follow the path of peace, in accordance with the spirit of the Ceasefire Agreement in Putrajaya.
• Thailand deeply regrets that Cambodia continues to choose the path of conflict, reflecting that it does not truly desire peace. The actions taken by the Cambodian side over the past week, such as inciting the public to obstruct the work of Thai officials, issuing press statements that distort the truth, and submitting protest letters to foreign leaders and international organizations, have been carefully premeditated to create situations in advance of protests submitted to the international community.
• Such actions are unconstructive, demonstrate Cambodia's lack of sincerity and good faith, and run against the spirit of the Putrajaya Ceasefire Agreement, which points out to the use of existing channels for bilateral dialogue at all levels.
• This issue was further emphasized last night by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, in his capacity as ASEAN Chair, in his call to H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister, who underscored the importance of maintaining bilateral channels of dialogue and mechanisms between the two countries. This is something that Thailand has underlined time and again from the beginning.
• In any event, Thailand has and continues to clarify the facts to the international community regarding all incidents and at all levels, based on verifiable evidence and international principles. For example, in the instance of the recent letter sent to the United Nations Secretary-General regarding forced evictions of Cambodian nationals from Thai territory, the Thai side has clarified all along that the management of the area used as shelter for Cambodians fleeing conflict in their country in the past has been undertaken in close cooperation with United Nations agencies and on the basis of humanitarian principles. Furthermore, Thailand and Cambodia have a mechanism for discussion between the two relevant provincial governors to address any further misunderstandings or important issues.

Thirdly,

• Thailand is firmly committed to resolving the border issues through peaceful means, on the basis of Thai law, and international law and principles. Thailand will utilize existing bilateral mechanisms, including the General Border Committee (GBC), the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), and the Regional Border Committee (RBC), as well as mechanisms established or to be established pursuant to the outcomes of the past GBC or RBC meetings. These include channels of communication between the Prime Ministers, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministers of Defense, the Royal Thai Police and the Cambodian National Police, provincial governors in border areas, and the demining centers of both sides.
• Thailand hopes that the upcoming meetings pursuant to the above-mentioned bilateral mechanisms and international platforms, such as the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, will provide opportunities for Cambodia to demonstrate its sincerity in resolving the current issues.
• Thailand and Cambodia are neighbors that cannot be separated. Mutual trust, based on the sincerity of both sides, is therefore a prerequisite and fundamental to determining the course of relations between our two countries. Such sincerity constitutes the very foundation of the spirit of the Putrajaya Ceasefire Agreement, which will guide both countries toward lasting peace.
• The Thai side, therefore, demands that the Cambodian side cease all actions that would follow the path of conflict, and refrain from activities further hindering efforts to de-escalate tensions, and to seek peaceful solutions.

Watch the full session at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16Z4LEF1Xr/?mibextid=wwXIfr