AKP Phnom Penh, December 27, 2025 --

Cambodia and Thailand have agreed on an immediate ceasefire which will take effect from 12:00 hours noon (local time) on Dec. 27, 2025, and on the return of the 18 captured Cambodian soldiers after the ceasefire has been fully maintained for 72 hours.

The agreement was stipulated in the Joint Statement signed by H.E. Gen. Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and H.E. Gen. Nattaphon Narkphanit, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the 3rd Special Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting, held this morning at the Prom-Pak Kard Permanent Border Checkpoint, located between Pailin province of Cambodia and Chanthaburi province of Thailand, under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT).

According to the Joint Statement, the ceasefire applies to all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructures, and military objectives of either side, in all cases and all areas. Both sides must avoid unprovoked firing or advancement or movement of troops towards the other side's positions or troops. This agreement must not be violated under any circumstances.

Both sides also agreed to maintain current troop deployments without further movement. There shall be no troop movements, including patrol towards the other side's position.

Moreover, both parties agreed that all arrangements under this Joint Statement are without prejudice to the border demarcation and international boundary between the two countries. They agreed to refer to the Joint Boundary Commission to resume, at the earliest, the survey and demarcation works, in accordance with existing agreements between the two countries to achieve lasting peace along the border. They agreed to utilise Joint Boundary Commission's existing mechanisms to ensure safety and security of the joint survey team on the ground, including its safety from landmines. They agreed that the Joint Boundary Commission will accord the first and foremost priority for the immediate survey and demarcation works in the affected border areas where the civilians resided.

While agreeing to allow civilians residing in the affected border areas to return at the earliest, without obstruction and in safety and dignity, to their homes and normal livelihoods in areas within their own side, both sides also committed not to increase forces along the entire Cambodia-Thailand border. Any reinforcement would heighten tensions and negatively affect long-term efforts to resolve the situation.

Both sides further agreed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions. This includes military activities to enter the other side's air space and territory or positions as of ceasefire. They agreed to refrain from constructing or enhancing any military infrastructure or fortifications beyond their own side.

In addition, both parties agreed not to use any kind of forces against civilians and civilian objects in all circumstances. Such actions would not only endanger communities in the border areas but also violate international law and tarnish the global image of the non-compliant side.

Both sides agreed to refrain from disseminating false information or fake news in order to de-escalate tensions, mitigate negative public sentiment, and foster an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue, and reaffirmed their obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mine and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention). Both sides will work together through the Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF) on Humanitarian Demining in accordance with the agreed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to make timely progress on demining efforts along the border.

Additionally, both sides agreed to adhere to the Action Plan for Cooperation on the Prevention and Suppression of Transnational Crimes, including Cyber Scams and Human Trafficking, between the Cambodian National Police and the Royal Thai Police, and reaffirm the commitment to enhance cooperation aimed at preventing online scams, addressing the misuse of digital platforms, and promoting responsible and accurate information in a manner that contributes to trust, stability, and good neighbourly relations.

By C. Nika