Army confirms troop presence at Thai border
The volatile border situation between Thailand and Cambodia has taken a turn for the better, following the signing of a comprehensive 13-point ceasefire agreement on August 7, 2025. This agreement, brokered by the Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces in Kuala Lumpur, aims to prevent further hostilities and protect civilians while maintaining open communication channels between the two countries.
Lt Gen Boonsin, responsible for the northeastern region, has confirmed that barbed wire fences and troops have been deployed to prevent incursions at key sites, including Chong Aan Mah in Ubon Ratchathani and Phu Makua in Si Sa Ket. In a significant gesture of unity, Thai soldiers raised the national flag on Phu Makua mountain in Si Sa Ket province on Tuesday.
The ceasefire agreement includes several key elements. Both parties have committed to a complete and unconditional ceasefire. Protective measures have been put in place to safeguard civilians impacted by the conflict, and there will be a freeze on the movement and reinforcements of troops along the disputed border. The safe return of displaced people to their homes is also a priority.
A bilateral rapid coordination team, consisting of four representatives from each country, will be created to maintain continuous communication and quickly resolve incidents. Both sides have agreed to refrain from provocations, territorial incursions, and violations of the ceasefire terms.
Representatives from China, the United States, and Malaysia participated as neutral observers to lend credibility and foster trust in the negotiations. Cambodia appears sincere in its intention to uphold the ceasefire, as shown in the preliminary agreement reached in Kuala Lumpur at the secretary-general level.
The defense ministers from both sides will meet on Thursday, testing Cambodia's sincerity at the ministerial level. The Thai delegation will be led by Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit at the upcoming talks.
However, the situation remains volatile, with increased drone activity detected near the border. A nationwide ban on civilian drone flights remains in effect until Aug 15, though authorities may relax restrictions for agricultural drones.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will brief Thai ambassadors and diplomats abroad on Thursday via a virtual meeting on its stance. The overall border situation remains calm, with some military posts being reinforced but no troop buildup. Thai troops will not be withdrawn from 11 key sites along the border with Cambodia.
The current status of border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia remains critical, but diplomatic efforts have just yielded a multilateral ceasefire agreement aimed at preventing further hostilities and protecting civilians while maintaining open communication channels between the two countries.
The ceasefire agreement, aiming to prevent further hostilities, includes a commitment to a complete and unconditional ceasefire from both parties, as well as protective measures for civilians impacted by the conflict. (politics)
The current border situation between Thailand and Cambodia, though volatile, includes increased drone activity and a ban on civilian drone flights, furthering the need for open communication channels as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement. (war-and-conflicts, general-news)
