Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 8 January 2026 at 11.30 hr provided a summary of the weekly press briefing on Developments on the Thailand-Cambodia border situation, as follows:

1. The firing from the Cambodian side into Chong Bok area, Ubon Ratchathani Province

• On 6 January 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was compelled to issue a statement condemning the firing by Cambodian forces into Chong Bok area, Ubon Ratchathani Province, which resulted in one Thai soldier being injured.

• Thailand exercised the utmost restraint and did not retaliate in kind, opting instead to contact the Cambodian side directly through the various channels to immediately verify the facts, which are actions consistent with the Joint Statement recently signed by both sides on 27 December 2025.

• Thailand also lodged a formal protest to Cambodia, requesting that Cambodia take responsibility, issue an apology, and strictly and sincerely abide by the Joint Statement.

• Most recently, the Cambodian side, through its 4th Military Region and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has sent letters to the Thai side claiming that the explosion originated from a pile of garbage while Cambodian forces were conducting organization and cleaning activities in the area. Cambodia has since expressed its sincere regret for this incident and for the injury caused to a Thai soldier. We are also informed that Cambodia is conducting further investigations into the explosion and will put in place measures to avoid the recurrence of a similar incident in the future.

• Thailand sincerely hopes that maintaining direct lines of communication, both at the central and the local levels as in this case, which is one of the provisions of the Joint Statement, will enable timely responses to urgent situations, which would help de-escalate tensions and reduce the risk of confrontations. This would be in line with the intention to seek solutions through peaceful means.

2. Thailand’s Compliance with the Ceasefire Agreement and Boundary Issues

• With regard to Cambodia’s protest against Thailand’s so-called “illegal occupation and military operations across various areas of Cambodian territory,” the Thai-Cambodian Joint Information Coordination Center, as well as the Thai security agencies, have already made appropriate clarifications.

• Thailand has strictly abided by the Joint Statement signed by both sides on 27 December

• The maintenance of current troop deployments by both sides following the ceasefire constitutes direct compliance with Paragraph 2 of the Joint Statement as agreed de-escalation measures that are clearly stipulated in the Joint Statement. This must not be misconstrued as territorial occupation. Thailand, therefore, strongly rejects Cambodia’s unfounded allegation of illegal annexation and urges Cambodia to cease making such claims, which risk undermining an environment conducive to dialogue.

• Thailand reaffirms that security measures undertaken by Thai forces are within the Thai side of the ceasefire and are also in full compliance with Paragraph 6 of the Joint Statement, which states that both sides agree not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions, including military activities to enter the other side’s airspace and territory or positions as of the ceasefire.

• The Thai side remains firmly committed to the survey and demarcation of the common land boundary and reiterates that all legal and technical matters must be addressed within the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) mechanism.

• However, boundary matters will be most productive in a climate of de-escalation and mutual trust. To this end, Thailand calls on Cambodia to immediately implement the other readily available de-escalation measures outlined in the Joint Statement, particularly humanitarian demining, to ensure the safety of civilians and that of survey teams on the ground.

• The Thai side remains fully committed to the continuity of bilateral cooperation and intends to resume JBC activities as soon as possible. Thailand is currently finalizing internal procedures, pending the formation of the new Cabinet after the General Election, and will communicate the proposed date and draft agenda for the next JBC meeting to the Cambodian side in due course.

• Thailand sincerely committed to achieving a mutually acceptable solution regarding survey and demarcation of the boundary in the interest of lasting peace, security and prosperity on both sides of the border.