(Phnom Penh): Cambodia and Thailand agreed the Joint Declaration through a phased removal of heavy weapons and coordinated confidence-building measures to enhance mutual trust and stability along the Cambodia–Thailand border.

The Special Thailand-Cambodia Regional Border Committee (RBC) Meeting for Removal of Heavy and Destructive Weapons between the 4th Military Region of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the 2nd Army Area of the Kingdom of Thailand was held on 31 October 2025 at O’Smach, Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia.

It was co-chaired by Lieutenant General Pov Heng, Commander of the 4th Military Region of The Kingdom of Cambodia and Lieutenant General Weerayuth Rakslip, Commander of the 2nd Army Area of The Kingdom of Thailand. The meeting was observed by members of ASEAN Observer Teams (AOT) in Thailand and Cambodia.

The Meeting was convened pursuant to the outcomes of the 2nd Special General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting, held on 23 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was further guided by the spirit and principles of the Joint Declaration signed on 26 October 2025 by the Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, together with the President of the United States of America, reflecting the collective determination of the four nations to promote transparency, confidence-building and responsible management of military postures in the region.

To implement the outcomes of the 2nd Special GBC Meeting and the Joint Declaration through a phased removal of heavy weapons and coordinated confidence-building measures to enhance mutual trust and stability along the Cambodia–Thailand border, both sides agreed as follows:

A. Both parties have reached consensus on three (3) categories of weapon classification and definitions as follows:

Type A refers to Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) with 2 or more launch tubes.

Type B refers to all type of Artillery systems, comprising towed and self-propelled artillery systems including 105 mm, 122 mm, 130 mm, 152 mm, 155 mm howitzers.

Type C refers to Armoured Platforms, specifically Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) designed to provide protected mobility, superior firepower, and direct support forces.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitments to uphold mutual respect, and full adherence to the outcomes of the 2nd Special GBC Meeting and the principles set forth in the Joint Declaration signed on 26 October 2025.

Both Parties agreed to conduct the phased withdrawal of the three categories of weapons (Type A, Type B, and Type C) under the observation and verification of the AOT, in accordance with the agreed Action Plans.

Both parties agreed to facilitate verification, documentation and observation by the AOT.

Both parties agreed to issue press releases to provide updates on the progress and verification of the weapon removal process, aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the implementation.

Both parties agreed that in the event either party conceals or misrepresents the quantity or type of weapons, such action shall be regarded as a lack of sincerity in restoring normalcy, stability, and mutual relations between the two countries.

The removal process of heavy and destructive weapons under Phase 1 shall be conducted over a three-week period, from 1 November to 21 November 2025, under the observation and verification of the AOT.

An RBC Secretariat Meeting on the detailed planning and implementation of Phase 2 shall be held on 15 November 2025 under the observation and verification of the AOT. The removal of heavy and destructive weapons under Phase 2 shall be conducted over a three-week period, from 22 November to 12 December 2025, under the observation and verification of AOT.

An RBC Secretariat Meeting on the detailed planning and implementation of Phase 3 shall be held on a date mutually agreed by both parties, under the observation and verification of the AOT. The removal process of heavy and destructive weapons under Phase 3 is planned to be conducted over a three-week period, from 13 December to 31 December, under the observation and verification of the AOT.

The RBC Secretariat meeting may be convened either virtually or in person, as mutually agreed by both parties, under the observation and verification of the AOT, to ensure efficient coordination, timely consultation, and effective implementation of the removal and verification process.
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