Thailand and Cambodia are currently engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions along their shared border, culminating in an urgent meeting in Malaysia on Monday, July 28. This high-stakes discussion was convened at the invitation of Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and current ASEAN Chair, with both Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet leading their respective delegations in Kuala Lumpur. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office and a member of the Special Operations Centre for Thai-Cambodian Border Situations Management (SOC-TCBSM), confirmed Thailand's acceptance of the invitation and reiterated the core purpose of the talks: to establish a pathway towards peace while steadfastly upholding Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Crucially, Jirayu firmly refuted any claims circulating in some Thai media that Thailand would consider using Cambodia’s preferred 1:200,000 map as a basis for negotiations to achieve a ceasefire, asserting such a notion as "entirely untrue and absolutely impossible." He affirmed that the Thai government consistently adheres to the 1:50,000 map and stressed the importance of extreme caution when spreading unsubstantiated claims amidst national security concerns.

Adding to the complexity of the diplomatic landscape, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a strong statement rejecting recent claims on social media alleging a Thai plot to assassinate Cambodian leaders Hun Sen and Hun Manet. These severe accusations, reportedly originating from Cambodia’s Minister of Information citing foreign intelligence sources, were vehemently denied by Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He labeled the allegations as “entirely unfounded and clearly intended to defame Thailand,” emphasizing that such disinformation, especially during ongoing General Border Committee (GBC) discussions, serves no constructive purpose and actively undermines the spirit of dialogue aimed at peaceful resolution. The MFA condemned these harmful attempts to derail the critical diplomatic efforts between the two nations.

Amidst these developments, progress has been reported from the GBC talks. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, announced on Wednesday, August 6, that both countries have reached a secretary-level agreement. While this is not yet the final agreement, documents are being prepared for review by the National Security Council (NSC) later on August 6, followed by a special Cabinet meeting for approval. Once endorsed, the Thai Chairman is slated to travel to Malaysia for the final GBC meeting on August 7. Surasant assured the public that the overall border situation remains normal, with military fortifications being enhanced in specific areas but no increase in troop deployment. He also confirmed that the issue near Chong An Ma, concerning Cambodian soldiers cutting barbed wire along the Thai border, has been successfully resolved through negotiations, with both sides agreeing to the status quo and Thailand having replaced the damaged wire.

Thailand continues to enforce strict border control measures, with the Royal Thai Police actively apprehending illegal immigrants and coordinating with other security agencies for deportation of individuals not deemed a security concern under the Immigration Act of 1979. In other regulatory news, Thailand has extended its nationwide drone ban until August 15, 2025, though agricultural drones are exempted and permitted to fly during daylight hours (06:00 to 18:00) provided they are registered through the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s (CAAT) UAS Portal without a registration fee.

Furthermore, Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted Thailand’s proactive humanitarian efforts. On August 5, the Thai Army and the MFA facilitated a visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to meet with 18 Cambodian soldiers currently detained in Thailand. This initiative underscores Thailand’s commitment to transparency and strict adherence to humanitarian principles and ICRC guidelines. The MFA plans to maintain close coordination with the ICRC regional office in Thailand and its Geneva headquarters for further clarity on various issues. An upcoming online meeting with Thai ambassadors and consuls general worldwide on August 7, 2025, will focus on emphasizing Thailand’s proactive efforts to clarify facts with empirical evidence, aiming to prevent misunderstandings within the international community, including foreign governments, media, and the public, which may have been influenced by widespread Cambodian misinformation. Maratee reiterated Thailand’s clear principle: to resolve the conflict peacefully and return to negotiations with Cambodia with sincerity and good faith, despite increased fake news and defamation from Cambodia, especially during ongoing GBC talks. She stressed the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere without accusations to reduce tensions for the benefit of both peoples, paving the way for future ministerial-level discussions between the Defence Ministers.

Adding to the list of challenges, a landmine incident was reported, which Jirayu stated was a clear violation of the Ottawa Convention on landmines. This occurred just two days after a General Border Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, where Cambodia reportedly rejected Thailand’s proposal for a joint landmine clearance along the border. In response, Thailand has initiated diplomatic action against Cambodia. Thailand’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva has sent a protest letter to the chair of the Ottawa Convention, and the Thai ambassador to the UN in New York has met with both the Convention’s chair and the UN Secretary-General to request action against Cambodia for violating the treaty.