Keeping the peace: Cambodia maintains defensive positions, invites foreign observers to border amid truce with Thailand
Keeping the peace: Cambodia maintains defensive positions, invites foreign observers to border amid truce with Thailand
Lieutenant General Pov Heng (3-L), Commander of Military Region 4 of Cambodia, and General Boonsin Padklang (3-R), Commander of Military Region 2 of Thailand, meet at the O’Smach International Border Checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey province, yesterday. Ministry of Information
Synopsis: Cambodia is holding defensive positions around key temple sites while expecting international observers at the border amid a cessation of hostilities with Thailand.
Cambodian armed forces are holding strong defensive positions and full territorial control over several ancient temple areas along the Thai-Cambodian boundary while a ceasefire is in effect and as the country prepares to lead foreign observers to inspect the situation along the border today.
An official source told Khmer Times, “At this hour, after a five-day border war, the Cambodian armed forces have firmly taken and are holding positions to defend Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, Phnom Trop, Mom Bei, and An Seh. These sites are being strongly and lawfully protected to ensure the defence of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The statement reaffirms Cambodia’s stance that its forces are operating fully within legal boundaries to protect historic and sovereign sites against military incursion.
Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire on Monday following a high-level meeting chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya, with the United States and China sitting in.
But the Thai army has since baselessly accused Cambodia of breaching the ceasefire — allegations strongly denied by the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence.
National Defence Minister General Tea Seiha said yesterday Cambodia was committed to the ceasefire agreement, and that it would soon host the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between the two sides. It also announced that it would lead foreign observers to inspect the situation along the border.
In a statement yesterday, Gen Seiha said: “The Cambodian Army has strictly abided by the ceasefire since 00:00 last night and continues to uphold it without deviation. We firmly reject the recent statements issued by the Thai Army and Thai media accusing Cambodia of violating the ceasefire agreement.”
As tensions continue to simmer along the Cambodian-Thai border following this week’s hostilities, Gen Seiha said the government will open the frontlines to foreign scrutiny.
“To demonstrate Cambodia’s commitment, today the leadership of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence will lead a delegation of diplomats, foreign military attachés in the Kingdom of Cambodia, and other relevant parties to observe the actual situation along the Cambodian-Thai border,” he said.
The Defence Minister revealed that he had spoken to the Acting Minister of National Defence of Thailand since the truce was reached.
“This morning, I held a telephone conversation with the Acting Minister of National Defence of Thailand to discuss certain incidents that occurred during the implementation of the ceasefire agreement,” he noted.
He said Cambodia would host the next round of bilateral border talks as scheduled.
“Furthermore, as announced during the joint statement issued in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 28 July 2025, the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence will host the next General Border Committee meeting (GBC) on 4 August 2025, in Phnom Penh, with the participation of the Thai delegation,” he added.
During a press conference yesterday morning, Ministry of National Defence spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said Cambodian and Thai forces ceased hostilities as scheduled, following the unconditional ceasefire agreement reached during the high-level emergency meeting in Malaysia.
“After the designated time for the unconditional ceasefire, the armed forces of both Cambodia and Thailand ceased firing as agreed upon in the special meeting held in Malaysia,” said Lt Gen Socheata.
She emphasised that under the terms of the ceasefire, troops from both sides are to remain in their current positions without redeployment or movement, while bilateral working groups are formed to begin dialogue and negotiations.
“The armed forces of both Cambodia and Thailand must implement this ceasefire, refrain from any troop movement, and remain stationed at their current positions after the agreement.
Working groups will be established to engage in discussions,” she added.
Lt Gen Socheata said the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) are strictly enforcing the ceasefire agreed by the leaders of the two countries.
“We strongly reject the claims made by the Thai military spokesperson, who alleged gunfire exchanges and violations of the ceasefire agreement,” she said.
“Cambodian forces have strictly implemented, and will continue to strictly implement, the army command’s instructions and the ceasefire agreement, which took effect at midnight.”
The regional military commanders of both sides met yesterday to de-escalate tensions, with a crucial conference taking place between Lieutenant General Pov Heng, Commander of Cambodia’s Military Region 4, and Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, Commander of Military Region 2 of Thailand, early yesterday morning near the O’Smach International Border Checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey province.
According to the RCAF, the meeting resulted in three key agreements aimed at easing tensions and strengthening cooperation along the Cambodia–Thailand border. The two sides agreed to stop fighting in accordance with the established ceasefire; strengthen direct communication with each other; and create a resolution mechanism for handling future incidents, with coordination to be carried out directly between Cambodia’s Military Region 4 and Thailand’s Region 2, involving four representatives from each side.
Also yesterday, Prime Minister Hun Manet led a government delegation to pay tribute to the late Lieutenant General Duong Samneang, Commander of Intervention Brigade No. 7, who died defending the motherland against foreign invasion. Lt Gen Samneang was killed in combat with invading forces in Preah Vihear province on Saturday. He was 67.
The Prime Minister laid a wreath to honour the fallen hero, who sacrificed his life for the nation. His visit was a gesture of deep respect and national gratitude for the general’s ultimate sacrifice in protecting Cambodia’s territorial integrity.
Mr Hun Manet was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister General Tea Seiha, Minister of National Defence; Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service Hun Many; Deputy Prime Minister Koeut Rith, Minister of Justice; Deputy Prime Minister Say Samal, Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction; along with other senior government officials.
