Press Release by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Press Release by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Phnom Penh, 10 August 2025

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to inform the public and the international community as follows:

On 10 August 2025, the Commander of Thailand’s 2nd Army Region, Bun Sin Phatklang, announced his plan for the remaining 51 days before his retirement, which includes:

1. Seizing Ta Krabei Temple from Cambodia’s lawful control; and

2. Declaring the closure of Ta Moan Thom Temple, which lies within Cambodia’s sovereign territory and territorial integrity.

This announcement serves as undeniable evidence of provocation and a premeditated attempt to deliberately violate Cambodia’s sovereignty.

The actions of the Thai 2nd Army Region Commander also constitute a breach of the ceasefire agreement reached at the special meeting on 28 July 2025, and run contrary to the spirit of the Extraordinary Session of the General Border Committee (GBC) held on 7 August 2025 in Malaysia. During that GBC meeting, both the Cambodian and Thai sides agreed—particularly in Point 2—that neither side shall mobilize their forces, including refraining from patrols beyond their current stationed positions.

Cambodia reaffirms its firm stance on resolving issues through peaceful means, upholding the principle of peace as a priority, and strictly adhering to the ceasefire agreement. Cambodia hopes that Thailand will maintain the same honest position in order to fully end all confrontations, thereby restoring peace, normalcy, and enabling the peoples of both countries to live together in harmony.

At the same time, the Ministry of National Defense calls upon the international community, particularly partner countries that have made great efforts to achieve this hard-won ceasefire, to strongly encourage Thailand to fully respect the ceasefire agreement—not merely in words, but through concrete actions. This includes halting all violations and immediately removing all illicit installations placed within Cambodia’s sovereign territory.

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia further notes that the overall situation along the border remains calm and stable. We must continue to improve this situation, rather than take actions that obstruct the restoration of peace, stability, and normal relations between the two countries—an aspiration not only of our peoples, but of the entire world, as reflected in the widespread congratulations and support for the ceasefire agreement and the positive outcomes of the recent Extraordinary GBC meeting between Cambodia and Thailand.