Summary of the Weekly Press Briefing 
by the Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson

on 15 December 2025 at 15:00 hrs.
MFA Press Conference Room and MFA FB LIVE / TikTok LIVE

1. Updates on Thailand - Cambodia border situation

1.1 Reference to ceasefire on social media

• As the Prime Minister clarified yesterday (14 December 2025), the Prime Minister of Malaysia directly informed the Prime Minister that he did not make any remarks about a ceasefire. He merely suggested ceasing any provocations. It is therefore clear that there were no discussions on a ceasefire. The narrative that has circulated appears to have been deliberately disseminated and distorted by certain parties for their own benefit.
• Whether or not there will be a ceasefire depends on the two countries involved in the conflict. Most importantly, it must be proven through actions. Any discussion on a ceasefire must be conducted in good faith with genuine commitment and a true understanding of the situation.
• Statements by the Cambodian side must be accompanied by concrete actions. There are three conditions for any ceasefire negotiations: (1) Cambodia must publicly announce a ceasefire; (2) the ceasefire must take place and hold; and (3) Cambodia must sincerely cooperate in demining efforts.
• Cambodia’s commitments and its actions have not always aligned. Cambodia’s actions have contradicted its words. Yesterday (14 December 2025), the Cambodian side intensified its military operations, particularly the indiscriminate attack by launching of BM-21 rockets into civilian areas, resulting in casualties.
• Given that Cambodia’s behavior remains unchanged, Thailand reserves its rights to protect its sovereignty and the safety of its people.

1.2 Civilian attacks by the Cambodian side

• Yesterday (14 December 2025), Cambodian forces continued to carry out indiscriminate attacks against Thailand, including the firing of BM-21 rockets at civilian areas in Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province. These attacks resulted in the death of one innocent civilian and injuries to several others. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to extend its deepest condolences for the loss of life and wishes those injured a swift recovery.
• This is not an accident. Thailand strongly condemns the brutal and inhumane attacks by the Cambodian side. The attacks not only constitute a violation of Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also amount to a serious breach of fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of civilian protection and the principle of distinction between military objectives and civilian objects, which are obligations binding all States.
• Thailand calls on Cambodia to immediately cease all attacks against civilians, fully comply with international law, and take responsibility for the harm inflicted upon innocent civilians.
• On 13 December 2025, the Foreign Minister submitted a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to convey Thailand’s concerns regarding Cambodia’s violations of human rights. Some salient points of the letter are as follows:
• Cambodia was the one who initiated the attacks against Thailand and deliberately targeted civilian areas, resulting in numerous casualties among Thai military personnel and civilians. In addition, more than 600 medical facilities and schools were forced to suspend operations temporarily for safety reasons;
• Cambodia’s indiscriminate attacks constitute serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws, including the Geneva Conventions. Thailand, therefore, reserves its inherent right to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to act in self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. Our military actions are conducted exclusively against Cambodian military objectives.
• Thailand requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to call upon Cambodia to provide full clarification and accountability, cease all hostilities and provocations, and halt all actions in violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws. Thailand stands ready to work closely with international organizations, such as the OHCHR and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to seek a peaceful resolution of the current situation.
• The Royal Thai Government will take all necessary measures to protect the lives, safety and dignity of the Thai people. We call upon the international community to urge Cambodia to respect international law, to demonstrate accountability for its inhumane actions, and to show a genuine commitment to de-escalating tensions through concrete actions in good faith, rather than merely through words or written statements.

1.3 Military operations in the areas of historic sites

• With regard to Cambodia’s unfounded allegation that Thailand’s military operations have caused damage to historic sites along the Thai - Cambodian border, Thailand has clear evidence that the Cambodian side has used those historic sites as military bases, both to store weapons and from which to launch attacks against Thai forces.
• Yesterday (14 December 2025), Cambodian forces continued to reinforce their troops and launched attacks against Thailand using artillery, mortars, and BM-21 rockets into several areas of key historic sites, including Ta Kwai Temple, Khana Temple, and Ta Muen Temple, in Surin Province.
• Cambodia’s actions constitute a clear violation of the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict or the Hague Convention, as well as the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage or the World Heritage Convention. Both Conventions oblige States Parties, including Thailand and Cambodia, to protect and refrain from using historic sites or cultural property for military purposes.
• Thailand has been left with no other choice and, therefore, has an imperative necessity to undertake military operations in self-defense and to prevent Cambodia’s use of the said historic sites for military purposes. If such actions were allowed to continue, they would result in severe impacts and greater damage to border communities. Therefore, Thailand’s actions in this regard do not constitute a violation of the Hague Convention, which provides a waiver for such circumstances.
• Recently, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has called on both parties to work together to protect cultural property along the border. Unfortunately, the Cambodian side took this opportunity to deliberately distort information in an attempt to mislead the international community into focusing solely on Thailand. This once again demonstrates Cambodia’s lack of sincerity.
• In this regard, Thailand calls upon Cambodia to cease the use of historic sites and cultural heritage for military purposes and to put an end to the repeated distortion of information.

1.4 The suspension of border crossings by land between Thailand and Cambodia

• Thailand expresses serious concern regarding restrictions on the movement of Thai nationals currently present in Cambodia. While Thailand has facilitated the departure of Cambodian nationals by land, the Cambodian side has refused to open the border to allow Thai nationals to return to Thailand.
• Thailand recalls that, under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Fourth Geneva Convention, civilians are entitled to protection at all times and the right to leave that country. Civilians are regarded as non-combatants and must not be treated as parties to the conflict.
• This measure by Cambodia may constitute a serious violation of the aforementioned international law. The Foreign Minister is submitting a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to lodge a formal protest against Cambodia on this matter.
• Yesterday (14 December 2568), Samdech Hun Sen and Cambodian authorities further clarified that Cambodia had only suspended border crossings by land, given the safety risks from the ongoing clashes, while border crossings by air remain permitted. Thailand views that this clarification represents just an attempt to downplay the damage to Cambodia’s image resulting from the announcement of such a measure.
• Cambodia’s repeated clarification on this matter underscores its lack of clarity in public communication, and the absence of careful deliberation in policymaking. This has not only affected Thai citizens but has also caused widespread misunderstanding and alarm among foreign communities residing in Cambodia.
• It should be underscored that Thai military personnel act with professionalism and strictly adhere to the Rules of Engagement, and have never had any intention to target civilians, who are not direct parties to the conflict. Therefore, there is no cause for concern regarding the protection of civilians for movement by land. Unless Cambodia itself intends to carry out indiscriminate attacks against Thai civilians during this land travel, as it has done in the past.
• The Thai government stands ready to provide assistance to Thai nationals in Cambodia. They are encouraged to register with the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh or the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Siem Reap to verify their identity or express their intention to return to Thailand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy and the Consulate-General, is prepared to process all necessary documentation in order to ensure their swift and safe return to Thailand.

1.5 Cambodia’s dissemination of false and distorted information

• The Cambodian side has relentlessly been disseminating fake news and false information in a systematic manner. Examples are

    (1) The Ministry of Interior of Cambodia released a video footage of Thai soldiers spraying mosquito repellent and falsely claimed that it was using toxic gas that resulted in civilian deaths and injuries of Cambodian people; and

    (2) A State-controlled media outlet in Cambodia released false information alleging that hospitals in Surin Province could not accommodate thousands of deceased and injured Thai soldiers, also attaching easily recognizable AI-generated images to support this fabricated narrative.

• Such actions by the Cambodian side may be interpreted in two ways: (1) Cambodian government agencies operate in an unprofessional manner, failing to verify facts that the general public can easily distinguish with their common sense; and (2) the Cambodian side has deliberately attempted to mislead the public with information that lacks both credibility and supporting evidence. This clearly demonstrates a disregard for, and contempt toward the judgment of the Cambodian people.

2. Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam

• Yesterday (14 December 2025), the Foreign Minister met with Mr. Le Hoai Trung, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, during his official visit to Thailand. Both sides discussed the Thai - Vietnamese relations, which will mark their 50th anniversary next year. As the two countries have recently announced the elevation of their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both Ministers exchanged ways for the implementation of the three-year Action Plan to further strengthen relations in all dimensions, including the visit to Thailand by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam next year.
• They also exchanged views on regional developments and the Thailand - Cambodia situation. The Foreign Minister conveyed Thailand’s stance, underscoring its commitment for peace, while noting the need to manage the current situation. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam thanked the Thai side for keeping Viet Nam informed. He expressed concern over the clashes and the escalating tensions and their effects on people. Thailand and Cambodia are close neighbours of Viet Nam, and as a country that experienced decades of war, Viet Nam understands the suffering of the people and the impacts on regional peace and security. Viet Nam, therefore, wishes to see both countries end the conflict and engage in dialogue at an early date. Viet Nam stands ready to support efforts toward a resolution, including through the role of ASEAN.

3. International Conference on Global Partnership against Online Scams

• Online scams have affected countries in Southeast Asia and many other regions, and Thailand has consistently urged Cambodia to cooperate on tackling the issue.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will co-host the International Conference on the Global Partnership against Online Scams from 17 - 18 December 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel, Bangkok. The meeting will be held over one and a half days. A press briefing on the outcomes of the Conference will be held on the morning of 18 December 2025.
• The Prime Minister will deliver opening remarks at the Conference, while the United Nations Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will also deliver opening messages via video clips, along with the regional representative of UNODC for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
• At this stage, ministerial-level representatives and senior officials from various regions have confirmed their participation, including from China, the United States, Indonesia, Myanmar, Rwanda, and Kenya. Representatives from international organizations, the private sector and civil society will also join, such as the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, headquartered in Switzerland, and META Singapore. Their participation reflects the engagement of all sectors in seeking effective solutions to online scams. The outcomes of the Conference will include a Joint Statement to strengthen partnership on the issue, as well as practical recommendations to advance further cooperation.

Watch the full session at: https://fb.watch/D-I_-HTLfP/