Thai Army Signals Troop Adjustment After Upcoming JBC Talks with Cambodia

Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee

BANGKOK, March 9 — Thailand’s military has said troops deployed along the border with Cambodia should remain in their current positions, stressing that any adjustments will only be considered after an upcoming meeting of the Thailand–Cambodia Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee said the guiding principle for now is “whoever is where, stay there,” indicating that both sides should maintain existing troop deployments until diplomatic mechanisms address the dispute.

The statement comes amid lingering tensions following clashes along the frontier in 2025 that led to casualties and the displacement of civilians before a ceasefire was reached on Dec. 27, 2025.

According to Thai officials, troop positions along sensitive border areas will remain unchanged while both governments prepare for the next round of boundary negotiations under the Joint Boundary Commission, the bilateral mechanism tasked with resolving border demarcation issues.

The military added that troop deployments could be adjusted after the JBC meeting, depending on the outcomes of the talks and agreements reached by both sides.

Thailand and Cambodia have previously used the JBC framework to address overlapping territorial claims and maintain the status quo until formal border demarcation is completed.

Despite tensions, officials from both countries have repeatedly said they prefer to resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomatic channels rather than military escalation.

Border tensions escalated into armed confrontations in 2025 before a ceasefire took effect late in the year, leaving relations fragile but relatively calm in recent months.

Officials said maintaining the current deployment is intended to avoid misunderstandings and preserve stability along the frontier while negotiations continue.

The Nation