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ASEAN-Brokered Breakthrough: Thailand & Cambodia Edge Closer to Historic Border Deal

Published 1 hour ago4 minute read
Pelumi Ilesanmi
Pelumi Ilesanmi
ASEAN-Brokered Breakthrough: Thailand & Cambodia Edge Closer to Historic Border Deal

Escalating tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border prompted an urgent meeting between Thailand and Cambodia, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as ASEAN Chair. The high-stakes discussions were held on Monday, July 28, at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office in Kuala Lumpur. Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai led the Thai delegation, which included Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa, Deputy Minister of Defence Gen Natthapon Nakpanich, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Prommin Lertsuridej, and Jirayu Huangsap, a member of the Special Operations Centre for Thai-Cambodian Border Situations Management (SOC-TCBSM). The Cambodian delegation was personally led by Prime Minister Hun Manet.

According to Jirayu Huangsap, the primary objective of the talks was to explore pathways towards a decision that would restore peace to the border region. Thailand reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Notably, Jirayu emphatically refuted claims circulating in some Thai media that the delegation would agree to use Cambodia’s 1:200,000 map as a basis for negotiations to achieve a ceasefire. He stated that such claims were “entirely untrue and absolutely impossible,” reiterating Thailand’s consistent adherence to the 1:50,000 map. He also stressed the importance of extreme caution when spreading such information, particularly when the nation faces external threats.

Further developments in the bilateral relations emerged on Wednesday, August 6, when Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, announced a secretary-level agreement had been reached in the ongoing General Border Committee (GBC) talks. This agreement, however, was not final and was subject to review by Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) and subsequent approval by a special Cabinet meeting. Once approved, the Thai Chairman was slated to travel to Malaysia for the final GBC meeting on August 7. Surasant underscored that despite the secretary-level progress, the agreement still awaited official final approval.

Regarding the overall border situation, Surasant assured the public that conditions remained normal, with military fortifications being enhanced in specific areas, but without any increase in troop deployment. He reported that a previous incident near the Chong An Ma area, where Cambodian soldiers were reported to have cut barbed wire along the Thai border, had been successfully resolved through negotiations, with both sides agreeing to maintain the status quo. Thailand has since replaced the damaged barbed wire. Border control remains stringent, with the Royal Thai Police actively apprehending illegal immigrants and coordinating with security agencies; individuals found to be without concern are deported and registered under the Immigration Act of 1979.

In other related news, the nationwide drone ban in Thailand has been extended until August 15, 2025. An exemption has been made for agricultural drones, which are permitted to fly during daylight hours (06:00 to 18:00) provided they are registered via the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s (CAAT) UAS Portal, with no registration fee required.

Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted Thailand’s proactive humanitarian efforts. On August 5, the Thai Army and Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilitated a visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to meet with 18 Cambodian soldiers detained by Thailand. Maratee emphasized this was a Thai initiative demonstrating transparency and strict adherence to humanitarian principles and ICRC guidelines. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to coordinate closely with the ICRC regional office in Thailand and its Geneva headquarters to provide further clarifications on Thailand’s handling of various issues.

An upcoming online meeting with Thai ambassadors and consuls general worldwide, scheduled for August 7, 2025, will focus on emphasizing Thailand’s proactive efforts to clarify facts with empirical evidence. This strategy aims to prevent misunderstandings among the international community, including governments, foreign media, and the public, which may have been influenced by what Thailand perceives as widespread Cambodian misinformation. Maratee reiterated Thailand’s core principle: “we aim to resolve the conflict peacefully and return to negotiations with Cambodia with sincerity and good faith.” She also noted a significant increase in fake news and defamation by Cambodia against Thailand, particularly during the ongoing GBC talks. Maratee stressed that maintaining a positive atmosphere, free from mutual accusations, is crucial for de-escalating tensions for the benefit of both peoples, not just their governments. Such a conducive atmosphere for GBC meetings is vital, as it paves the way for future ministerial-level discussions between the Defence Ministers of both countries, with hopes for the negotiation team’s success in this critical mission.

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