Cambodia's ceasefire remains intact, despite a delay in the deployment of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) with the 2nd Army.
The ongoing Thai-Cambodian border tensions have seen a dramatic escalation in late July 2025, resulting in fatalities, displaced civilians, and military confrontations across multiple border locations. Both countries have engaged in exchanges of gunfire, artillery, and air strikes, particularly around disputed temples such as Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear.
The escalation caused significant casualties and displacement, with at least 38 deaths and over 300,000 civilians displaced, leading to martial law declarations on the Thai side. Following international pressure, including calls from ASEAN and the UN Security Council, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" effective from July 28, 2025, during talks held in Kuala Lumpur.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai commented on the situation, affirming that Thailand acts in self-defense against Cambodian provocations. Phumtham emphasized resolving disputes through bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) or the General Border Committee (GBC), rejecting the involvement of international courts.
Regarding the RBC meetings, no explicit updates were found on recent RBC meetings or outcomes post-escalation in July 2025. Instead, the focus has been on urgent ceasefire negotiations mediated by ASEAN and international actors rather than ongoing RBC processes. The ceasefire talks in Kuala Lumpur involving both sides represent the most recent formal diplomatic engagement following the clashes.
Thailand's government is reaffirming Thai sovereignty in the border situation and emphasizing the continuation of border talks. Phumtham stressed that Cambodians cannot cross further into Thailand due to razor wire barriers. Thailand would wait for talks regarding Cambodia's tactic of using groups of civilians to pressure and provoke Thai soldiers along the border.
The Thai government is sticking to the ceasefire terms regarding the border situation, as stated by Phumtham, who described the current terms as "where you are, you stay". Phumtham did not discuss the ASEAN IOT visit to Pha Mo E Dang or the dissolution of the ad hoc border center in the current context.
A General Border Committee (GBC) meeting is scheduled for September 7-8 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to discuss further details. Phumtham stated that border negotiations cannot be settled in a single round and must continue over time.
In conclusion, while the ceasefire agreement has been reached, the durability of the truce remains uncertain due to mutual distrust and ongoing nationalist sentiments. The Thai government maintains its stance on self-defense and bilateral negotiations, with the scheduled GBC meeting as the next step in resolving the ongoing border tensions.
[1] ABC News Australia. (2025). Thai-Cambodian border conflict: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-01/thai-cambodian-border-conflict-explainer/133457162
[2] BBC News. (2025). Thai-Cambodia border conflict: What's happening? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61438564
[3] The Diplomat. (2025). Thailand and Cambodia's Border Conflict: Explaining the Escalation. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/thailand-and-cambodias-border-conflict-explaining-the-escalation/
[4] The Straits Times. (2025). Thai-Cambodia border conflict: A complex web of politics and history. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thai-cambodia-border-conflict-a-complex-web-of-politics-and-history
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