Cambodia and Thailand announce plans to move towards peaceful border management

On 25 August 2025, a new wind of change seemed to be blowing through relations between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand during the Extraordinary Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting, a decisive gathering held under Cambodia's auspices.

Chaired by His Excellency Lieutenant General Ek Sam Aun, Commander of the 5th Military Region and Co-Chair of the Committee for Cambodia, and His Excellency Vice Admiral Apichat Sapprasert, Commander of the Chanthaburi Border Defence Forces and Co-Chair for Thailand, the meeting was conducted in a spirit of constructive dialogue and mutual commitment

The two delegations reiterated their commitment to implementing the key decisions adopted at the special meeting between Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and His Excellency Phumtham Wechayachai, Acting Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. This meeting, organised in Putrajaya on 28 July 2025 with the support of Malaysia and the United Nations, also benefited from the active participation of the People's Republic of China. The two countries had then made a strong commitment to follow up on the resolutions of the General Border Committee (GBC), which had met in Kuala Lumpur on 7 August 2025.

During the RBC meeting, Phnom Penh and Bangkok agreed to intensify and systematise communications between all regional military forces and units deployed along the border and in sensitive areas. The common objective is to defuse tensions, resolve disputes peacefully and avoid any escalation.

The delegations emphasised the urgency of strengthening mutual trust through dialogue at all levels as a guarantee of harmonious coexistence and good neighbourliness. The progress made during these exchanges was welcomed, both in terms of sectoral cooperation and the return to the expected normality.

The two sides agreed in principle to establish a Coordination Group (CG): an entity dedicated to facilitating communication between military commands, border liaison groups, forces stationed in sensitive areas and operational units along the border. The stated aim is clear: to prevent incidents and ensure the peaceful resolution of disputes.

The establishment of a Border Committee of Municipalities (TBC), involving state forces and private institutions, was also discussed. This mechanism aims to strengthen cooperation in all areas and involve civil society in the management of border dynamics. Pending the formalisation of the CG and the TBC, it was agreed that local intervention groups would meet weekly, or as often as necessary, to address issues within their remit.

The humanitarian dimension was not forgotten: both nations reaffirmed the need to continue demining operations, a crucial issue that now falls within the mandate of the GBC and will be on the agenda of the next meeting.

The fight against anti-personnel mines, which continue to hamper the daily lives of border communities and local development, symbolises the shared commitment to working towards lasting and shared security.

The measures discussed at this extraordinary meeting of the RBC may mark a turning point in bilateral relations between Cambodia and Thailand. Through regular exchanges and the establishment of new dialogue mechanisms, the two countries are moving resolutely towards peaceful border management and shared prosperity, in accordance with the principles of good neighbourliness and international cooperation.

This new momentum promises to transform the border, long a scene of tension, into a bridge for cooperation and development. The coming months will be decisive in translating commitments into action and continuing on this path towards peace and friendship.