Cambodia Briefs Diplomatic Corps on Border Situation, Reaffirms Commitment to Ceasefire

Terry Felix On January 7, 2026 - 8:51 am In Asia Pacific

Phnom Penh, 6 January 2026 — His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, today conducted a diplomatic briefing for Heads and Representatives of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Phnom Penh on the latest developments along the Cambodia–Thailand border.

Addressing the meeting, His Excellency expressed appreciation for the continued engagement of the diplomatic corps and noted that, following recent escalation, the situation has shown signs of returning to a constructive path through key diplomatic breakthroughs. These include the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 22 December 2025, the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting on 27 December 2025, and the Trilateral Meeting between Cambodia, Thailand, and China in Yunnan on 29 December 2025.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the positive outcomes of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special GBC, notably the implementation of a ceasefire effective from noon on 27 December 2025, the agreement to ensure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the renewed commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, including through the resumption of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). He welcomed the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers, describing it as a significant confidence-building measure.

However, His Excellency expressed deep concern that hundreds of thousands of Cambodian IDPs remain unable to return home in several locations across four provinces, citing continued military presence and related activities that restrict access. He stressed that all actions on the ground must fully comply with ceasefire commitments, international principles, and the spirit of ASEAN cooperation.

On boundary matters, the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed that Cambodia and Thailand share an internationally recognized boundary defined under the 1904 Convention and the 1907 Treaty, and recalled substantial progress made by the JBC, particularly in segments between Boundary Pillars 42–47 and 52–59. He emphasized that all arrangements under the GBC Joint Statement are without prejudice to boundary survey and demarcation, and confirmed Cambodia’s request for the urgent convening of the JBC to accelerate its work.

His Excellency underscored Cambodia’s firm commitment to ensuring a durable ceasefire, prioritizing the good-faith implementation of all agreed measures, including the return of displaced civilians, peaceful dispute settlement through established mechanisms, resumption of survey and demarcation, humanitarian demining within agreed frameworks, strengthened communication between authorities, and an enhanced role for the ASEAN Observer Team to ensure transparency and confidence-building.

He concluded by reaffirming that Cambodia and Thailand are permanent neighbours with a shared responsibility to safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity for their peoples and the ASEAN region. Cambodia, he stressed, chooses peace, diplomacy, and the peaceful settlement of disputes to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The briefing also included situation reports from the Ministry of National Defence and the State Secretariat of Border Affairs.