Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Thailand remains firmly committed to seeking peaceful ways toward sustainable solutions to the current Thai-Cambodian border issues through existing bilateral channels.

In his summary of weekly press briefing on 12 September 2025, Mr. Nikorndej spoke about the outcomes of the first Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) between Thailand and Cambodia, as follows:

• The 1st Special Meeting of GBC in 2025, held in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia, concluded on 10 September 2025. The Meeting was co-chaired by General Nattaphon Narkphanit, Acting Minister of Defence of Thailand, and General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the outcomes of this Meeting, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire agreement and agreed on many key issues. Of utmost importance are two major issues that the Thai side has been pushing forward all along, namely landmine clearance and suppression of online scams.

• On humanitarian demining, a Joint Coordinating Task Force will be established within one week to draw up a clearance plan and designate pilot areas, with operations to begin within one month.

• On the suppression of online crime and scams, the Ministries of Interior and national police agencies of both countries have been tasked to set up a joint task force within one week to prepare a joint action plan. Thailand has already provided information and coordinates of more than 60 scam centers in Cambodia to the Cambodian side and a further coordination meeting on this matter is scheduled for 16 September 2025 in Sa Kaeo Province.

• In addition, the meeting also discussed a number of critical issues that have a direct impact on the safety, security and the livelihoods of the people on both sides of the border. These include:

o The removal of heavy and destructive weapons and equipment from the border areas to their respective normal positions, in accordance with the agreed timeline to be set by the Secretariats of the GBC and Regional Border Committees (RBCs). This matter is highly critical as it directly concerns the safety and security of the people, and helps build confidence for those in the border areas to begin a sustainable return to their normal lives and livelihoods;

o The management of border areas, particularly the case of Ban Nong Chan, Sa Kaeo The Meeting assigned the Joint Border Committee (JBC) to clarify the standing of this area, and the RBC to discuss management arrangements based on JBC outcomes. Meanwhile, the Governors of Sa Kaeo and Banteay Meanchey Provinces will continue their coordination to maintain order;

o The de-escalation of provocative rhetoric. The Meeting acknowledged the importance of refraining from disseminating false information, fake news, accusations and harmful rhetoric, whether through official or unofficial channels, in order to de-escalate tensions, mitigate negative public sentiment, and foster an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue; and

o On the issue of border crossings, the Meeting tasked the RBC to explore the feasibility of permitting goods transportation through selected crossings with the least tension and security concern. It must be noted that the discussion aims to help mitigate the impacts on border trade, cross-border transport, and affected businesses and people living along the border, enabling them to resume their economic activities. However, no border crossings have been reopened as of now. And there will be no exemptions for goods transportation unless there is satisfactory progress in the above-mentioned three areas, namely the removal of heavy weapons from the border areas, joint demining operations, and suppression of online scams.

• This Special GBC Meeting underscores the effective functioning of existing bilateral mechanisms, be they the GBC, RBC, or JBC, in resolving differences. However, the true success of this meeting depends greatly on the sincerity of the Cambodian side in honoring the agreements reached.

• The next Special GBC Meeting will be held within 30 days with Thailand as host.

Mr. Nikorndej said, “Our top priorities are to protect our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of the people, particularly in the border areas.”