7:00 AM, August 31, 2025
Keynote Address by H.E. LTG. Maly Socheata, the Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson:
Good morning and warm greetings to all members of the press and to my fellow Cambodians who are following today’s press briefing. This morning I would like to provide some updates following the ceasefire between the Cambodian and Thai Armed Forces that came into force on July 28, 2025, and after the Extraordinary Meeting of the GBC that concluded on August 7, 2025, as of today:
1. Starting from 12:00 AM midnight on 31 August 2025 up to 6:00 AM this morning, the situation at the frontline, Military Region 4, and Region 5—Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Banteay Meanchey Provinces—are currently calm with no new developments reported yet. Our military forces stand strong and are performing their duty with full vigilance in defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
2. The Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia reaffirms its full commitment to the ceasefire agreement between the Cambodian and Thai Armed Forces, which was reached through the leading efforts of His Excellency Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, and His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, with the active participation of the People’s Republic of China in Putrajaya, Malaysia on July 28, 2025, as well as the 13-point Agreed Minutes adopted at the Extraordinary Meeting of the GBC on 7 August 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, under the observation of Malaysia, and with representatives from the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China.
It should be noted that this ceasefire is widely welcomed and supported by the international community and reflects the shared aspiration for peace in the region. Cambodia, as a highly responsible and peace-loving country, has fully adhered to all terms of the ceasefire by resolving to dialogue and cooperation instead of confrontation and conflict.
Cambodia reaffirmed its stand to resolve the issue peacefully in good faith in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter. Cambodia called on Thailand to honor all terms stipulated in the ceasefire agreement as well as the spirit of the agreement during the Extraordinary GBC meeting.
In addition, Cambodia reiterated its firm and unequivocal commitment to upholding the spirit of consensus agreed upon by both parties in the recent Extraordinary Meeting of the RBC, in which both parties agreed to increase confidence to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace along the border, using all necessary mechanisms to resolve differences peacefully and avoid clashes in the spirit of good-neighbourliness, friendship, and solidarity, and on the occasion when problems arise, both parties shall work together to solve them through existing mechanisms. In this sense, Cambodia urged that Thailand adhere to the same spirit.
3. At the same time, Cambodia continues to call on the Thai side to implement the above agreements and return 18 of our military personnel to Cambodia so they can reunite with their families, who have been waiting day and night for their return. It is also important to note that Thai soldiers illegally captured these Cambodian military soldiers immediately after the ceasefire took effect on the morning of 29 July 2025; as of 7:00 AM on 31 August 2025, their detention has lasted 32days, 23 hours, and 10 minutes.
The Ministry of National Defense, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and the International Community will continually demand that Thailand uphold its obligations under international law, and we wish to underscore that we will never abandon or leave any one of our family members behind.
Full implementation of the ceasefire by both sides will create a favorable atmosphere for restoring peace, stability, and normalcy to the relationship between our two countries.
The Royal Government, the Armed Forces, and the people of Cambodia stand firmly united and resolutely determined to defend our territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and dignity.
Thank you
