Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, Spokesperson of Thailand’s Ministry of Defence, stated that the 1st Special Meeting of the Thailand–Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC) on 10 September in Koh Kong was an important step in using bilateral mechanisms to ease tensions along the border.

Deputy Defence Minister General Nattaphon Narkphanit, Acting Minister of Defence, stressed that safeguarding national sovereignty remains the top priority, alongside protecting the livelihoods of Thai people and businesses.

Key agreements reached at the GBC meeting included:
⭐ Withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas.
⭐ Joint demining operations.
⭐ Crackdown on online scam networks.
⭐ Clarification of the border demarcation by the Joint Border Committee (JBC), with Regional Border Committees (RBC) tasked to implement management measures.

On border crossings, the Ministry emphasized that no checkpoints are being opened at this stage. Any future relaxation would apply only to cargo transport (not individuals), on a limited case-by-case basis, and only when conditions permit.

To ensure proper management, the Ministry has divided the border into three security zones:
 📍 Zone 1 (highest tension): Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin, Buri Ram.
 📍 Zone 2 (moderate tension): Sa Kaeo.
 📍 Zone 3 (low tension): Chanthaburi and Trat.

Pilot relaxation, if implemented, would begin in Zone 3, under RBC coordination with Customs, Commerce, Industry, and local chambers of commerce.

The Ministry underscored that progress depends on Cambodia’s sincerity and adherence to agreements. Without real implementation, cooperation cannot succeed and tensions will persist.