4:00 PM, August 15, 2025
Intervention by H.E. Pen Bona, Royal Government Spokesperson:
Before concluding today’s press briefing, I would like to share two important pieces of information as follows:
First, a message from His Excellency UENO Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan on the Announcement of Emergency Grant for the Cambodia-Thailand Border Areas.
On August 15, The Government of Japan has decided to provide an Emergency Grant of approximately 1.8 million US dollars in response to the emergency humanitarian needs that arose in the Cambodia-Thailand border areas.
With this Emergency Grant, Japan will implement humanitarian assistance such as distribution of essential supplies and temporary shelters through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The Government of Japan strongly supports the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, hopes for the swift restoration of peace, and will make efforts to alleviate the hardships of those affected.
I myself and our defense attaché at the Embassy, Colonel HARA Takashi, have visited the border area and are deeply heartbroken by the extent of the damage. The Embassy of Japan in Cambodia will also make efforts to restore peace and provide assistance to the affected people in Cambodia.
Second, the urgent appeal from the Chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, addressed to:
1. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, based in Geneva.
2. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, based in Geneva.
3. The Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, based in Bangkok.
4. The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights of all 10 ASEAN Member States.
5. The five National Human Rights Institutions of Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Purpose of the Appeal:
– Urge the Thai side immediate removal of all barbed wire and other obstructions deployed on Cambodian territory
– Ensure the return of all property and farmlands belonging to Cambodian citizens that have been seized by the Thai side.
– Urge the Thai side to respect the ceasefire agreement and the 13-point agreed minutes of the General Border Committee (GBC).
– Initiate an independent and impartial investigation and ensure accountability for these violations.
– Urge the Thai side to immediately and unconditionally release all 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.
Thank you.
