The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has recently been marked by escalating tensions along their shared border, prompting urgent diplomatic and security measures. An urgent meeting, initiated by Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and current ASEAN Chair, was held on Monday, July 28, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This high-stakes discussion involved Acting Thai Prime Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The Thai delegation, which officially accepted the invitation, 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 primary objective of these talks was to find pathways to restore peace, with Thailand firmly asserting its commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Importantly, the Thai government vehemently dismissed claims that it would accept Cambodia’s use of the 1:200,000 map for negotiations, reiterating its unwavering adherence to the 1:50,000 map, and condemning the spread of such false claims as a threat during a period of national vulnerability.

Amidst these diplomatic efforts, Thailand has also been contending with a significant disinformation campaign. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphatically rejected allegations from Cambodia’s Minister of Information, citing foreign intelligence sources, that Thailand was planning to assassinate Cambodian leaders Hun Sen and Hun Manet. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and Ministry Spokesperson, denounced these claims as unfounded and defamatory, emphasizing that spreading such falsehoods during General Border Committee (GBC) discussions undermines constructive dialogue aimed at peaceful resolution. This disinformation was condemned as a harmful attempt to derail ongoing diplomatic initiatives between the two nations.

Progress in the General Border Committee (GBC) talks was reported on Wednesday, August 6, with Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri confirming a secretary-level agreement, though this is not yet final. Documents were prepared for review by the National Security Council (NSC) and a special Cabinet meeting for approval. Following approval, the Thai Chairman was slated to travel to Malaysia for the final GBC meeting on August 7. Surasant assured the public that the overall border situation remained normal, despite enhanced military fortifications in some areas, with no increase in troop deployment. He noted that the incident near Chong An Ma, involving Cambodian soldiers cutting barbed wire, had been resolved through negotiations, with both sides agreeing to the status quo and Thailand replacing the damaged wire. Thailand continues strict border control, apprehending illegal immigrants and coordinating with security agencies for deportations. Separately, Thailand extended its nationwide drone ban until August 15, 2025, exempting registered agricultural drones during daylight hours.

A critical aspect of the border situation involves the detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers captured on July 29. Royal Thai Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suwaree affirmed Thailand’s right to detain these prisoners of war (POWs) under international law, specifically the Geneva Conventions, stating they would only be repatriated once a ceasefire and hostilities had clearly and fully ended to prevent their return to combat. He clarified that allied countries and international organizations understand Thailand's lawful actions, contrary to Cambodian claims of illegal detention. Demonstrating transparency and adherence to humanitarian principles, Thailand facilitated a visit by a four-member delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on August 5 to inspect the detainees’ conditions. Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted this as Thailand’s own initiative to uphold humanitarian principles.

Further compounding the complexities, a specific incident was identified as a clear violation of the Ottawa Convention on landmines. This occurred just two days after a GBC meeting in Kuala Lumpur, where Cambodia rejected Thailand’s proposal for joint landmine clearance along the border. In response, Thailand’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva protested to the Ottawa Convention chair, and Thailand’s ambassador to the UN in New York met with the Convention chair and the UN secretary-general to request action against Cambodia for violating the treaty. This concern about landmines was further underscored by visits from international observers. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) was set to lead the ASEAN Interim Observation Team (IOT) to the border to monitor alleged breaches, following successful prior visits by Thai government for international governments and organizations. ASEAN envoys and representatives from Ottawa Convention signatory countries visited Si Sa Ket province, witnessing evidence of anti-personnel mines allegedly laid by Cambodian troops and speaking with affected residents. Similarly, the RTA, Foreign Ministry, and Interior Ministry facilitated an ICRC visit to assess the humanitarian impact of cross-border attacks on civilians in Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani. The ICRC gathered facts and interviewed civilians, compiling a confidential report for both Thailand and Cambodia, emphasizing Thailand’s commitment to humanitarian protection.

The pervasive nature of misinformation has been a significant challenge. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) reported that eight out of the top ten fake news items last week were related to the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, with the top three specifically concerning the situation. This underscores the need for clear communication and fact-checking. To counter such misinformation and clarify facts with empirical evidence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans an online meeting with Thai ambassadors and consuls general worldwide on August 7, 2025, to ensure international understanding and prevent misunderstandings influenced by Cambodian misinformation. Maratee stated Thailand’s principle remains clear: to resolve the conflict peacefully and return to negotiations with sincerity. She stressed the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere without accusations, which is crucial for reducing tensions and paving the way for ministerial-level discussions between the Defence Ministers.

Finally, in a strong move reflecting Thailand's determination for accountability, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that academics might submit a proposal to the government to consider suing Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, Hun Sen, as war criminals in the International Criminal Court (ICC). This follows a National Security Council (NSC) resolution to file both criminal and civil lawsuits against them in Thai courts for causing deaths, injuries, and property damage to Thais by ordering troops to fire at civilians. Thailand is committed to pursuing justice and resolving the conflict through a multi-faceted approach encompassing diplomacy, humanitarian efforts, and legal recourse.