RBC discussions between Thailand and Cambodia reinforce truce agreement; Thailand advocates for landmine removal and anti-scam measures, while Cambodia shows reluctance.
Thailand and Cambodia Hold Special Border Meeting Amid Ongoing Disputes
In a bid to address ongoing issues along the Thai-Cambodian border, a special session of the Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee (RBC) was held in Trat, Thailand on a date in August 2025. The meeting, which followed the framework of the General Border Committee (GBC) held on August 7, was attended by representatives from both countries.
Vice Admiral Apichat Sapprasert, Commander of the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command, led the Thai delegation. He met with Major General Ouy Heang, Commander of Cambodia's Third Military Region, to discuss ways to reaffirm commitments to peaceful solutions and urge Cambodia to support demining and scam suppression efforts.
Thailand has expressed a strong commitment to these efforts, organizing field visits for international observers to demonstrate transparency and verify facts on the ground. The Thai delegation proposed enhanced cooperation on two urgent issues: clearing remaining landmines along the Thai-Cambodian border and cracking down on cross-border scam operations.
However, Cambodia did not provide a response to either proposal. The country has been accused by Thailand of spreading misinformation and staging events rather than engaging sincerely. Thailand's proposals for cooperation on landmines and scam operations are expected to be addressed in future meetings.
The aim of the meeting was to resolve cross-border issues peacefully and ensure the security and livelihoods of people on both sides. Thailand continues to push for peaceful resolution and genuine cooperation on these security matters through diplomatic and military channels. Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachiayaphan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Navy, revealed the details of the meeting.
Despite Thailand's efforts, Cambodia maintains a defensive posture and denies claims of non-compliance. The Thai-Cambodian border issues continue to be a point of contention, as Cambodia did not respond to the Thai proposals in the current meeting.
| Aspect | Thailand's Position | Cambodia's Response | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Demining cooperation | Urges active, sincere cooperation; organized observer visits; proposals made in bilateral meetings | Rejected proposals; obstructed observer visits; accused Thailand of misinformation | | Scam suppression | Proposed crackdown on cross-border scam activities, seeking cooperation in bilateral forums | No cooperative response; refusal to discuss proposed issues | | Bilateral engagement | Willingness to meet in RBC, GBC, and JBC to resolve issues peacefully | Rejects discussions on key issues; accuses Thailand of aggression |
As the disputes continue, Thailand remains hopeful that Cambodia will demonstrate sincerity in supporting demining operations and suppressing scam activities along the border in upcoming meetings.
- Ever-escalating international tensions over war-and-conflicts-related issues, the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border disputes have become a significant point of focus, with Thailand advocating for genuine politics-driven solutions, and Cambodia maintaining a defensive stance.
- Within the realm of general-news coverage, the impacts of the Thai-Cambodian border issues extend beyond just defense and security matters, as both countries grapple with matters of vital national interests, including demining cooperation and scam suppression efforts.
