On 22 December 2025, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the situation between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, in his capacity as ASEAN Chair.

The meeting discussed the situation along Thailand - Cambodia border, where ASEAN members shared their views and concerns about the ongoing clashes and expressed readiness to support any steps toward de-escalation of current tensions. Thailand appreciated Malaysia for hosting the meeting, in which Thailand demonstrated its readiness to participate from the outset, recognizing that ASEAN can play a constructive role in this matter based on facts. From Thailand’s viewpoint, the discussions on any situation in this region, including this one, were well conducted within this region, as they should be. This reflects ASEAN Centrality. Thailand also thanked fellow ASEAN Members for their goodwill, constructive engagement, and strong desire for Thailand and Cambodia to return to dialogue and to take steps toward the cessation of all forms of hostilities.

The Foreign Minister provided ASEAN Member States with facts on the ground, recalling its longstanding goodwill and its desire to maintain good relations with Cambodia, a close neighbor, through various forms of assistance. Therefore, Thailand has never sought to be in any conflict with Cambodia. Since the incidents between the two countries occurred in mid-2025, Thailand has sought to resolve the issue through bilateral mechanisms and has consistently complied with agreements under these frameworks, including the ceasefire arrangement and the Joint Declaration, which serves as a pathway to peace; however, their effectiveness depends on implementation. All along, Thailand has exercised utmost restraint, while Cambodia has repeatedly violated its obligations under these bilateral agreements and international law, especially the landmine incidents. The Foreign Minister also set out Thailand’s clear position and the three key conditions necessary for discussions on de-escalation of tensions, namely: (1) Cambodia must be the party to declare a ceasefire first; (2) the ceasefire by Cambodia must be genuine and sustained, with verification by the military based on actual conditions on the ground; and (3) Cambodia must demonstrate sincerity in cooperating with Thailand on humanitarian demining.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed at the meeting, according to Thailand’s proposal, that a ceasefire can only be achieved through joint discussions. The militaries of both sides will hold discussions on the resumption of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. Both sides agreed to convene the General Border Committee (GBC) on 24 December 2025. This GBC meeting will enable the militaries of both sides to discuss implementation, related steps and verification of the ceasefire by the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) in detail. This is consistent with Thailand’s position, which emphasizes that a ceasefire cannot result from a unilateral declaration. It must come with the political will of both sides and be based on an assessment of the situation on the ground and detailed discussions by the military. This is to ensure that discussions leading to a sustainable ceasefire reflect the realities on the ground.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued Thailand’s statement on the issue:
https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/statement-on-the-samm-221225-en