Picture courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong statement on 13 November 2025 condemning Cambodia for repeated breaches of a bilateral Joint Declaration, following two serious incidents along the Thai-Cambodian border. The statement detailed alleged violations involving the planting of new anti-personnel landmines within Thai territory,  that injured Thai soldiers and cross-border gunfire, which escalated tensions between the two neighbours.

 

According to the ministry, on 10 November 2025, Cambodian forces covertly laid new landmines inside Thai territory in the Huai Thamariya area of Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket province. The explosion left one Thai soldier permanently disabled. The statement described the act as a “violation of the Joint Declaration on the outcomes of the meeting between Thailand and Cambodia,” signed on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

Just two days later, on 12 November 2025, Cambodia allegedly opened fire into Thai territory at Ban Nong Ya Kaew, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo province. The ministry said the attack was intended to provoke a response, forcing Thai military personnel to act in self-defence in accordance with international law and the Rules of Engagement. Thailand asserted that both incidents clearly violated the Joint Declaration and Cambodia’s obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention), to which Cambodia is a State Party.

 

In response, Thailand has submitted a formal protest letter through Japan, in its role as President of the Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, requesting that it be circulated to all member states. A separate letter has also been sent to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The ministry stated that the gunfire at Ban Nong Ya Kaew constituted a violation of Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

Thailand emphasised that its actions remain transparent and in compliance with international law and standards. To demonstrate this, it has invited the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) to inspect both affected areas. The statement reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to implementing the Joint Declaration as a means to reduce tensions and promote peace, while accusing Cambodia of “staging incidents and fabricating false information.”

 

The Thai government extended its sympathy to those affected by the two incidents and called on Cambodia to take responsibility, conduct a transparent investigation, and cease provocative actions. Khoasod reported that the statement concluded by urging Cambodia to return to the path of peace in order to prevent further loss and maintain regional stability.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating a recent Joint Declaration by laying landmines and opening fire across the border.

• The incidents on 10 and 12 November 2025 injured Thai soldiers and prompted diplomatic protests to Japan and the UN.

• Thailand has invited ASEAN observers to inspect the sites and urged Cambodia to halt provocations.

 

Related Stories

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Khaosod 2025-11-14

 

 

 

 

UPDATE
Malaysia Offers to Host Thailand-Cambodia Talks

 

File picture for reference only

 

Malaysia has signalled its readiness to host talks between Thailand and Cambodia in an effort to preserve the fragile ceasefire recently agreed by the two neighbours, following renewed friction along their shared border. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan confirmed the plan on 13 November after discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, noting that both countries had approached Malaysia for assistance. The move comes amid concerns over deteriorating trust after Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine incident.

 

Mohamad said Cambodia and Thailand had each requested Malaysia’s help, with both expressing support for Kuala Lumpur as the venue for discussions. He added that Malaysia stood prepared to facilitate a peaceful outcome, especially as confidence between the two sides had eroded. The minister described the latest tensions as disheartening, given the upbeat atmosphere when the ceasefire was signed during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

 

The Kuala Lumpur peace accord was signed on 26 October by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, witnessed by Anwar in his capacity as ASEAN Chair and United States President Donald Trump. Despite this, Thailand has since suspended the ceasefire after several of its patrol personnel were injured by landmines it claimed were newly laid by Cambodia. Mohamad said ASEAN observer teams in both countries had reported that the explosives were new.

 

Speaking in Seremban, Mohamad urged both sides to remain calm. He said he had spoken by phone with the Thai foreign minister to encourage continued dialogue. He emphasised that ASEAN Observer Teams are not stationed at the border but continue to monitor and report developments to relevant parties.

 

Bernama reported that Malaysia expects the proposed talks to take place soon, pending further coordination with both governments. Mohamad reiterated that the priority is to prevent further escalation and to maintain the ceasefire agreed less than a month earlier. He expressed hope that confidence-building steps would allow negotiations to resume without delay.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Malaysia is preparing to host talks requested by both Thailand and Cambodia to preserve their recently signed ceasefire.

• Thailand suspended the ceasefire after soldiers were injured by landmines it claimed were newly laid by Cambodia.

• Malaysia urges calm and aims to facilitate renewed dialogue to prevent further deterioration in border relations.

 

 

  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from  Bernama 2025-11-14

 

 

 

 

Maybe Thailand should start to recognize the borders... than the temple is on the Cambodian side and there was no conflict needed.. But as Thailand doesn't recognize the border how can they expect help from the UN as they agreed with border as the International Court... Si the problem can't be solved if Thailand stays stubborn and claim what is not theirs

What the contemporary Thai (ultra-)nationalists fail to acknowledge is that the Mon and Khmer ethnic/linguistic groups (as well as some other groups, such as the Cham) occupied parts of the land that is now Thailand well before the first Tai (sic) groups arrived in the area about 1,000 years ago.

 

This fact, is well acknowledged by many Thai historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and linguists who have researched and published on the history of Thailand and the Tai peoples.  Many of these publications are available in Thai, some have been published by Thai universities and research institutes, including the esteemed Siam Society in Bangkok.