MADRID, 27 (EUROPA PRESSE)
The Thai and Cambodian governments have agreed to an “immediate” ceasefire, effective from noon (local time) this Saturday, December 27, after signing a joint declaration at the third extraordinary meeting of the General Boundaries Committee (GBC), mediated by observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The session was co-chaired by Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha and his Thai counterpart Nattaphon Narkphanit and was held at Prum (Pailin Province, Cambodia) – Ban Pak Kard (Chanthaburi Province, Thailand), an international port of entry.
During the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of resolving disputes peacefully, “in an atmosphere of trust, good faith, fairness and mutual respect” in accordance with the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. Likewise, they highlighted this agreement as a step forward on the path to a new chapter of cooperation and stability between the two countries.
The two countries also reiterated their firm commitment to refrain from any threat or use of force, to respect international borders and to promote regional peace, security and stability, based on the sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of each nation.
In this sense, Bangkok and Phnom Penh reaffirmed the “full and effective” application of the ceasefire agreement signed on July 28, 2025, as well as all subsequent conventions and agreements concluded during previous meetings of the General Borders Committee, consolidating existing bilateral mechanisms.
Finally, both countries underlined their determination to resume dialogue and strengthen previous agreements, with the aim of “ending all forms of hostility and creating true and lasting peace”, returning to normality and promoting trust and stability along the border.
REDUCE TENSIONS
The jointly released document includes a series of measures aimed at reducing tensions on the border between the two countries. This commitment generally includes avoiding any action that could increase tensions at the border, as well as the expansion of military infrastructure, and protecting civilians living in affected border areas.
Thus, the first of the 16 points listed specifies that the judgment applies “to all types of weapons in all cases and in all areas, including attacks against civilians, civilian objectives and infrastructure and military means”.
It is also prohibited to carry out troop movements towards the positions of the other party. In other words, both countries agree to maintain their forces in their current positions without “any agreement in this declaration (affecting) border boundaries or international boundaries between the two countries.”
Along the same lines, the statement also does not authorize the increase of troops from any party along the Cambodia-Thailand border, knowing that “any increase could increase tensions and negatively affect long-term efforts to resolve the current situation.”
On another note, the document also opposes the dissemination of “false or misleading information” in order to “reduce negative public opinion and promote an environment favorable to peaceful dialogue”, in the same way that it provides “mechanisms for the implementation and verification of (these) measures to reduce tensions”.
COORDINATION, COMMUNICATION and VERIFICATION
The Joint Declaration also establishes concrete mechanisms to ensure that de-escalation measures are applied effectively and verifiably on the ground.
In this sense, Thailand and Cambodia recognize the key role of the ASEAN Observer Group, whose mandate will be strengthened to monitor and ensure compliance with the ceasefire and all commitments made, in coordination with the ASEAN Chair and the observer group itself.
Likewise, for the day-to-day management of the agreement, both sides will use bilateral border coordination units – both Cambodia-Thailand and Thailand-Cambodia – which will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the ceasefire and responding to specific incidents on the ground to “avoid misunderstandings”, always under the supervision and verification of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT).
On the other hand, “regular and direct” communication channels will be maintained between the Ministries of Defense and the headquarters of the armed forces of the two countries, in order to respond quickly to “emergency situations that cannot be resolved at the local level.” It is possible that high-level representatives from both countries will visit the tense area to resolve issues effectively and directly.
In the humanitarian field, the Joint Task Force (JCTF) will coordinate with local authorities and with its counterpart in the other country demining operations in previously agreed priority border areas, ensuring that these activities will take place according to established plans and without obstacles or confusion.
Finally, the two parties agreed to maintain “fluid and permanent” communication between the official press teams of the two governments to “prevent and manage the spread” of disinformation. The objective is to ensure the “accuracy and reliability” of official communications, generating a climate of “mutual trust” favorable to the consolidation of peace.
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