The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute
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Gaybutton
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Re: The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute
Most of the latest news is the two sides blaming and accusing each other. Until something more substantial comes out, I see no reason to be posting the "he said-she said" articles while none of us have nothing more to go on other than personal opinions and guesses.
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Gaybutton
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Gaybutton
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Re: The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute
Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Immediate 72 Hour Ceasefire in Border Conflict
by Adam Judd
December 27, 2025
Bangkok/Phnom Penh, December 27th, 2025– Thailand and Cambodia have signed an immediate ceasefire agreement to halt weeks of intense border clashes, with Thailand committing to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers held as prisoners of war if the truce holds for 72 hours.
The deal, announced in a joint statement by the countries’ defense ministers, took effect at noon local time on Saturday following talks at a border checkpoint in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province. Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha and Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit signed the agreement after three days of negotiations under the General Border Committee framework.
The ceasefire ends more than 20 days of renewed fighting that erupted in early December, breaking a previous truce brokered in July with U.S. and Malaysian mediation. The latest clashes, involving artillery, rockets, and Thai airstrikes, have killed at least 101 people and displaced over half a million civilians on both sides.
Key provisions include freezing troop movements, prohibiting attacks on civilians and infrastructure, and allowing displaced residents to return home. The conditional release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers, captured during the July fighting, has been a major demand from Phnom Penh.
The agreement reaffirms commitment to prior accords, including the Kuala Lumpur Declaration from October 2025. Observers note the next 72 hours will be critical for building confidence, amid longstanding territorial disputes over undemarcated border areas and ancient temples.
Both sides have accused each other of initiating violations, but reports indicate fighting has ceased since the truce began. ASEAN is expected to monitor implementation.
Story, photos, and text of agreement: https://thepattayanews.com/2025/12/27/t ... -conflict/
by Adam Judd
December 27, 2025
Bangkok/Phnom Penh, December 27th, 2025– Thailand and Cambodia have signed an immediate ceasefire agreement to halt weeks of intense border clashes, with Thailand committing to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers held as prisoners of war if the truce holds for 72 hours.
The deal, announced in a joint statement by the countries’ defense ministers, took effect at noon local time on Saturday following talks at a border checkpoint in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province. Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha and Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit signed the agreement after three days of negotiations under the General Border Committee framework.
The ceasefire ends more than 20 days of renewed fighting that erupted in early December, breaking a previous truce brokered in July with U.S. and Malaysian mediation. The latest clashes, involving artillery, rockets, and Thai airstrikes, have killed at least 101 people and displaced over half a million civilians on both sides.
Key provisions include freezing troop movements, prohibiting attacks on civilians and infrastructure, and allowing displaced residents to return home. The conditional release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers, captured during the July fighting, has been a major demand from Phnom Penh.
The agreement reaffirms commitment to prior accords, including the Kuala Lumpur Declaration from October 2025. Observers note the next 72 hours will be critical for building confidence, amid longstanding territorial disputes over undemarcated border areas and ancient temples.
Both sides have accused each other of initiating violations, but reports indicate fighting has ceased since the truce began. ASEAN is expected to monitor implementation.
Story, photos, and text of agreement: https://thepattayanews.com/2025/12/27/t ... -conflict/
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Gaybutton
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Re: The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute
Ceasefire holding, evacuees start returning home
by Surachai Piraksa and Jakkrit Waewkraihong
December 28, 2025
Evacuees living in shelters in two northeastern border provinces started returning to their homes on Sunday as the temporary ceasefire signed by Thailand and Cambodia appeared to be holding.
Buri Ram and Surin provinces on Sunday permitted people who had fled the deadly clashes along the contested border to go back home. Their return in Surin was approved by provincial governor Jumreon Wanhpetch.
In Surin, they were returning to homes in all border districts except Phanom Dong Rak.
"Residents of Phanom Dong Rak district will be allowed to return later, after authorities assess the situation and declare it safe," a post on the Surin provincial Facebook page announced.
In Buri Ram, people from Ban Kruat district decided to return to homes they fled from more than two weeks ago after the eruption of the latest round of armed clashes between the two nations.
Many returnees admitted they were taking a risk, explaining that economic pressure was a key factor in their decision to attempt a return to normal life despite doubts the truce would be fully implemented.
Ban Kruat resident Huen Chanprakhon said he had a grocery and food shop and his income was down to zero from about 5,000 baht a day before the fighting. He questioned Cambodia's sincerity in agreeing to a ceasefire, but said he needed money to take care of the family.
Thailand and Cambodia signed an immediate ceasefire agreement during the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on the border in Chanthaburi on Saturday, leading to a 72-hour ceasefire from noon on Saturday.
The 2nd Army, which is responsible for the northeastern region, on Sunday warned people returning home they should strictly follow the safety plan mapped out by their province.
In Trat, tourism operators welcomed the ceasefire saying it should help restore the confidence of tourists and holiday-makers planning a trip to the eastern province.
"With the signing of the ceasefire agreement, operators of tourism and related businesses felt a temporary sense of relief, hoping this would rebuild tourist confidence," said Wipa Sunate, president of the Trat Chamber of Commerce and manager of Banpu Resort Trat in Muang district.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... rning-home
by Surachai Piraksa and Jakkrit Waewkraihong
December 28, 2025
Evacuees living in shelters in two northeastern border provinces started returning to their homes on Sunday as the temporary ceasefire signed by Thailand and Cambodia appeared to be holding.
Buri Ram and Surin provinces on Sunday permitted people who had fled the deadly clashes along the contested border to go back home. Their return in Surin was approved by provincial governor Jumreon Wanhpetch.
In Surin, they were returning to homes in all border districts except Phanom Dong Rak.
"Residents of Phanom Dong Rak district will be allowed to return later, after authorities assess the situation and declare it safe," a post on the Surin provincial Facebook page announced.
In Buri Ram, people from Ban Kruat district decided to return to homes they fled from more than two weeks ago after the eruption of the latest round of armed clashes between the two nations.
Many returnees admitted they were taking a risk, explaining that economic pressure was a key factor in their decision to attempt a return to normal life despite doubts the truce would be fully implemented.
Ban Kruat resident Huen Chanprakhon said he had a grocery and food shop and his income was down to zero from about 5,000 baht a day before the fighting. He questioned Cambodia's sincerity in agreeing to a ceasefire, but said he needed money to take care of the family.
Thailand and Cambodia signed an immediate ceasefire agreement during the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on the border in Chanthaburi on Saturday, leading to a 72-hour ceasefire from noon on Saturday.
The 2nd Army, which is responsible for the northeastern region, on Sunday warned people returning home they should strictly follow the safety plan mapped out by their province.
In Trat, tourism operators welcomed the ceasefire saying it should help restore the confidence of tourists and holiday-makers planning a trip to the eastern province.
"With the signing of the ceasefire agreement, operators of tourism and related businesses felt a temporary sense of relief, hoping this would rebuild tourist confidence," said Wipa Sunate, president of the Trat Chamber of Commerce and manager of Banpu Resort Trat in Muang district.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... rning-home
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Gaybutton
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Re: The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute
Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July
December 31, 2025
Thailand on Wednesday released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during fighting in July, fulfilling a condition of the ceasefire agreement signed on Saturday, the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry announced.
They were released at 10am at Ban Phak Khat permanent border checkpoint in Pong Nam Ron district of Chanthaburi province, which remains closed to the public.
This was in accordance with measure No.11 of the joint statement Thailand and Cambodia signed during the last special meeting of the General Border Committee on Saturday at a border venue in the eastern province of Chanthaburi, the ministry said.
The clause stated the detained soldiers would be returned to Cambodia after the ceasefire had been fully maintained for 72 hours. The action also aligned with the joint declaration previously signed by both countries in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 26, the ministry’s statement said.
The captives were due for release on Tuesday, but Thailand delayed it because of Cambodia's alleged breaches of the deal.
Eighteen Cambodian soldiers surrendered after being surrounded along the border in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket in late July and have been detained ever since.
The statement said, “...the [Cambodian] soldiers were treated in line with international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Convention and the humanitarian principles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with periodic visits by the ICRC. Thai authorities facilitated the delivery of letters from the detainees to their families".
The captives were each given a health examination before being returned, in line with the terms of the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war. They were informed of their rights, and officials ensured their repatriation was voluntary, safe and dignified, the statement said.
The soldiers’ families had been informed they were being returned. Members of both the Red Cross and Asean observer teams monitored the handover at the checkpoint.
The statement said the captives' release reflected Thailand’s commitment to the humanitarian convention and to rebuilding trust with Cambodia.
“Thailand hopes Cambodia will reciprocate this goodwill with concrete action to promote lasting peace between the two countries,” it said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... since-july
December 31, 2025
Thailand on Wednesday released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during fighting in July, fulfilling a condition of the ceasefire agreement signed on Saturday, the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry announced.
They were released at 10am at Ban Phak Khat permanent border checkpoint in Pong Nam Ron district of Chanthaburi province, which remains closed to the public.
This was in accordance with measure No.11 of the joint statement Thailand and Cambodia signed during the last special meeting of the General Border Committee on Saturday at a border venue in the eastern province of Chanthaburi, the ministry said.
The clause stated the detained soldiers would be returned to Cambodia after the ceasefire had been fully maintained for 72 hours. The action also aligned with the joint declaration previously signed by both countries in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 26, the ministry’s statement said.
The captives were due for release on Tuesday, but Thailand delayed it because of Cambodia's alleged breaches of the deal.
Eighteen Cambodian soldiers surrendered after being surrounded along the border in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket in late July and have been detained ever since.
The statement said, “...the [Cambodian] soldiers were treated in line with international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Convention and the humanitarian principles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with periodic visits by the ICRC. Thai authorities facilitated the delivery of letters from the detainees to their families".
The captives were each given a health examination before being returned, in line with the terms of the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war. They were informed of their rights, and officials ensured their repatriation was voluntary, safe and dignified, the statement said.
The soldiers’ families had been informed they were being returned. Members of both the Red Cross and Asean observer teams monitored the handover at the checkpoint.
The statement said the captives' release reflected Thailand’s commitment to the humanitarian convention and to rebuilding trust with Cambodia.
“Thailand hopes Cambodia will reciprocate this goodwill with concrete action to promote lasting peace between the two countries,” it said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... since-july
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KeithAmbrose
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Re: The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute
I an flying BKK to Siem Reap on the 5th January. Bangkok Airways have just said flight time is increased by 40 mins, both ways, now 1hr 50 mins. I can only assume that this is some kind of detour to avoid the disputed border area?
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christianpfc
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Re: The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute
Looking on flightradar24 for current flights, there are flights across the Thai-Cambodian border. A flight Bangkok to Siem Reap today took 52 minutes.
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KeithAmbrose
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Re: The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute
That's what I thought, but Bangkok Airways still insist on changing flight time to 1hr 45mins! Weird. I'll post when I have taken flight this pm.christianpfc wrote: ↑Sat Jan 03, 2026 9:13 am Looking on flightradar24 for current flights, there are flights across the Thai-Cambodian border. A flight Bangkok to Siem Reap today took 52 minutes.
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KeithAmbrose
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Re: The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute
Pg905, flight before mine, is taking 1 hour 20 mins and flying in a wide circle, nowhere near direct, so they are clearly avoiding certain border areas!christianpfc wrote: ↑Sat Jan 03, 2026 9:13 am Looking on flightradar24 for current flights, there are flights across the Thai-Cambodian border. A flight Bangkok to Siem Reap today took 52 minutes.