Cambodia has once again issued a firm denial of Thai accusations that it planted new landmines along their shared border, labelling the claims as “baseless” and urging a transparent, fact-based investigation to resolve the dispute. Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) today, August 12, reiterated Cambodia’s unwavering commitment to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which it joined in 1999. He highlighted the country’s extensive efforts in mine clearance, noting that over one million landmines and nearly three million explosive remnants of war have been safely removed. He addressed Thailand’s claim that its…
Author: Niem Chheng
Minister of Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn dispatched urgent missives to the president of the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General António Guterres on August 11, highlighting the current risks to the fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and calling on Thailand to withdraw their troops from Cambodia territory. Sokhonn’s letters highlighted the risks to the ceasefire caused by the actions of the Thai military. They have laid barbed wire and built roads into Cambodian territory, among other violations, explained foreign ministry spokesperson Chum Sounry, in an August 12 daily press briefing. Cambodia and Thailand have signed ceasefire…
The National Assembly of Cambodia (NA) has expressed profound disappointment regarding the announcement by Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, president of the Thai House of Representatives and speaker of the Thai Parliament, that he endorses the comments of Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Region, who announced plans to seize Ta Krabey Temple and seal Ta Mone Thom temple with barbed wire before his retirement in 50 days. The NA considers the support expressed by the speaker as undeniable evidence of provocation and a deliberate, premeditated attempt to infringe upon Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It added that this action…
Even as Cambodia calls for Thailand to respect the ceasefire and release its captured soldiers, a Royal Thai Army spokesperson has described the arrest of the troops after the ceasefire as “lawful” and expressed concerns that their release could lead to retaliation. Since their July 29 capture, two of the men have been released; one with serious physical injuries and the other suffering from mental health issues. The body of a deceased soldier was also returned. The defence ministry has repeatedly called for Thailand to release the 18 remaining detained soldiers immediately and adhere to international humanitarian standards. Thai media…
The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has refuted a statement issued today, August 9, by the Thai foreign ministry, accusing Cambodia of laying new landmines. The Thai military claimed that three soldiers who were preparing to lay new barbed wire — which may be a breach of the current ceasefire agreement — were injured in a landmine explosion this morning. The CMAA reiterated that Cambodia’s position is unequivocal. “We have not, and will not, plant new landmines. Cambodia is a proud State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which it ratified in 1999, and has an…
Preah Sihanouk governor Mang Sineth has instructed the staff of the provincial referral hospital to provide the best possible medical care to a disoriented Thai woman who was admitted this morning, August 9. Chonthiya Putthawong, born in 2001, was found lying on the street in the O’Tres area of commune 4 in Sihanoukville. Locals say she appeared to be confused and in a mild state of stress. They informed the authorities, who promptly organised an ambulance to transport her to the referral hospital for treatment. “The doctors questioned her, but she didn’t respond much. She briefly mentioned having a headache…
A Ministry of National Defence spokesperson has noted that it has had no formal confirmation from its frontline forces regarding this morning’s landmine explosion which was reported by Thai media. Thai officials have announced that three of their soldiers were injured in the incident. “The Cambodian military continues to strictly adhere to the spirit of the ceasefire on July 28 and the spirit of the extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on August 7, 2025, in Malaysia,” said the spokesperson. “We hope that the Thai side will respect each of the points agreed upon in the extraordinary meeting…
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has welcomed the recent ceasefire announced by Thailand and Cambodia and reiterated its readiness to conduct further visits to the 18 Cambodian soldiers captured by Thai forces. The ICRC in Thailand visited them on August 5, but hasn’t released any reports, in adherence with the principles of the organisation. “The ceasefire offers some respite to those affected by the hostilities, which saw families flee their homes, lose loved ones and access to necessities. Our priority lies in addressing the needs of the people affected and this is central to our dialogue with…
A ministry of Information spokesperson has shared that more than 100 domestic and international journalists reported on the recent armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Spokesperson Tep Asnarith said on August 8 that well-known international media outlets, including Al Jazeera, CNA, Kyodo, Xinhua, Reuters, AP and AFP, among others, have come to the Kingdom to cover the news. He claimed that they have received sufficient information about the conflict, with the ministry facilitating all aspects, including providing information on diplomatic, military and governmental perspectives, each of them an official source. “These sources are official, providing timely and accurate information for…
Following the August 7 signing of a detailed ceasefire agreement by Cambodia and Thailand, foreign diplomats took to social media to congratulate both nations, as well as Malaysia, who hosted the discussions that led to the signing, and observers the US and China. “Thanks to President Donald Trump’s leadership, the United States has helped broker a ceasefire arrangement between Cambodia and Thailand,” said Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State. “We are grateful to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the ceasefire process. We look forward to supporting Malaysia, ASEAN and both countries as this process…