(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn informed members of the diplomatic corps and international organisations in Cambodia that the Thai military continues to commit violations through aggressive activities, including encroachments through the laying of barbed wire and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in and outside the conflict zones. These actions undermine trust and make the ceasefire fragile.

Taking this occasion, the foreign minister said that peace cannot be restored if border communities remain trapped in fear and displacement.

Minister Prak Sokhonn made these remarks on 21 August 2025, during a briefing on developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border, including the landmine issue, delivered to foreign diplomats and representatives of United Nations agencies accredited to Cambodia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was attended by representatives of 42 embassies based in Cambodia and embassies abroad overseeing Cambodia-Thailand border affairs, as well as 20 international organisations, including the Thai Embassy.

In the daily press conference held on Friday morning (Aug. 22), Nong Sakal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the key outcomes of Minister Prak Sokhonn’s meeting with the foreign diplomatic corps and UN agencies in Cambodia.

The foreign minister stressed that Cambodia’s position is clear. Cambodia speaks today as a country that has endured the scars of conflict and who knows too well the devastating cost of war. It is precisely because of this experience that we always choose peace over confrontation. We believe firmly that disputes between nations must be settled through dialogue, international law, and cooperation—not through force. From the very beginning of the crisis, Cambodia has worked tirelessly to deescalate tensions and to restore calm.

“Foreign minister noted that there have been certain violations, including encroachments through the laying of barbed wire and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in and outside the conflict zones (in provinces of Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Pusat, and Banteay Meanchey), continued military activities such as the construction of new roads, bunkers, and trenches in disputed areas, as well as the continuing detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers. These actions undermine trust and make the ceasefire fragile,” the spokesperson underscored.

Cambodia has abided by the agreed ceasefire and the spirit of the MOU 2000. Due to the fragility of the ceasefire, Cambodia attaches great importance to the establishment of ASEAN Observers Teams (AOT) and Interim Observers Teams (IOT), as discussed during the Special GBC meeting on 7 August 2025.

The spokesperson continued that “Cambodia believes peace cannot be restored if border communities remain trapped in fear and displacement.”

He continued, explaining that both bilaterally and within the framework of the RBC, Cambodia has proposed concrete measures to normalize relations, starting with discussions on reopening border crossings, facilitating cross-border movement for citizens of both countries, promoting trade exchanges, and enhancing humanitarian mine clearance cooperation.
=FRESH NEWS