Picture courtesy of Amarin 

 

The Thai–Cambodian border dispute intensified on 26 December, after a senior Thai military spokesman dismissed negotiations as a waste of time, as talks under the General Border Committee (GBC) entered a critical third day with no agreement. The remarks underscored rising tensions and uncertainty over whether the negotiations would collapse, prompting Thai authorities to prepare contingency plans.

 

The statement was made by Lt Gen Wanchana Sawasdee, Deputy Spokesman of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, who posted on his personal Facebook page “Wanchana Sawasdee” on 26 December. Referring to the current Thai–Cambodian situation, he wrote that the events had made border areas immediately clearer without the need for demarcation, surveys, scale-map disputes, temporary boundary markers, or prolonged talks, adding that there was ultimately no overlapping area, only “mine and yours”.

 

His comments came as the Thai–Cambodian General Border Committee held its third day of talks on 26 December at the Immigration Bureau meeting room, third floor, Ban Phakkat permanent border checkpoint, Khlong Yai subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province. The talks followed two days of tense discussions amid reports that Cambodia had not accepted three key proposals put forward by Thailand.

 

Thailand’s three proposals require Cambodia to first declare a ceasefire, ensure that the ceasefire is genuine and continuous, and cooperate seriously and sincerely in the clearance of landmines. The first GBC meeting on 24 December lasted only 30 minutes, during which Thailand formally submitted the proposals for Cambodian consideration.

 

The second day of talks on 25 December began at 10.00 am, after which Cambodia presented a response. The meeting was repeatedly adjourned, with scheduled resumptions at 2.00 pm, then 6.00 pm, before being delayed again to 7.30 pm. Cambodian GBC officials eventually arrived at 7.40 pm with visibly tense expressions, but Thailand maintained its position and Cambodia did not agree to the proposals.

 

The Cambodian delegation was led by Maj Gen Yim Boraden, Chairman and Secretary of the Cambodian GBC, while the Thai side was led by Gen Natthapong Prua-kaew, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Chairman and Secretary of the Thai GBC. ASEAN observers from Malaysia, stationed in Thailand, continued to observe the process.

 

Amarin reported that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul scheduled an urgent National Security Council meeting at 3.00 pm on 26 December, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the armed forces attending. Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit previously stated that if Thailand’s proposals were rejected, Thailand would not travel to further GBC meetings or sign any agreements.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A senior Thai army spokesman publicly rejected further talks, saying border lines were already clear with no overlapping areas.

• GBC negotiations stalled after Cambodia failed to accept Thailand’s three conditions on ceasefire and landmine clearance.

• Thai authorities prepared contingency measures, including a National Security Council meeting, if talks collapse.

 

Related stories

 

Cambodia-seeks-GBC-ceasefire-talks-as-Thailand-sets-conditions

 

Thailand-warns-GBC-talks-may-collapse-over-ceasefire-terms

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-12-26

 

 

Of course Cambodia will not agree. They don't want to be ordered by Thailand even before the meeting. No one direction meetings. Thailand has to make steps too

According to other sources, a tentative ceasefire will be signed tomorrow.

UPDATE
Thailand–Cambodia Ceasefire Set for 27 December Pending Approval

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

Thailand and Cambodia are poised to implement a ceasefire on 27 December 2025 following three days of talks by the Thai–Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC), with a revised draft agreement now awaiting approval by Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC). The move could immediately reduce tensions along the border, with authorities preparing to monitor the situation closely for 72 hours after the ceasefire takes effect.

 

The GBC meeting concluded at around 1.00 pm on 26 December at a conference room on the third floor of the Immigration Bureau facility at the Ban Phakkat permanent border crossing in Khlong Yai subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province. Discussions began at 10.00 am and were described as tense, reflecting the sensitivity of the ongoing border situation.

 

The Thai delegation was led by Gen Natthapong Prua-kaew, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Chair of the Thai GBC Secretariat. The Cambodian side was headed by Maj Gen Yam Boraden, Chair of the Cambodian GBC Secretariat. During the talks, Cambodia proposed amendments to the agreement, with revisions exchanged until both sides arrived at what is referred to as Draft Version 6.

 

Following the meeting, the Cambodian delegation returned home after presenting Draft Version 6 to the Thai side. Thailand will submit the document to the NSC for consideration, with the council chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Details of the revised draft have not been disclosed and are being withheld pending NSC approval.

 

Preparations are already under way for a possible signing ceremony on 27 December 2025. Officials have arranged a venue to receive Defence Minister Gen Natthaphon Narkphanit of Thailand and Cambodian Defence Minister Gen Tea Seiha, who are expected to sign the agreement if approval is granted. Amarin noted that the ceasefire is expected to begin on 27 December, followed by a 72-hour monitoring period.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thailand and Cambodia aim to implement a ceasefire on 27 December 2025, pending NSC approval.

• The GBC concluded talks on 26 December, producing a revised Draft Version 6 of the agreement.

• Authorities plan to closely monitor the situation for 72 hours after the ceasefire begins.

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-12-26

 

 Thai-Cambodian Ceasefire Expected to Begin December 27

 

 

UPDATE
Three Thai Soldiers Killed in BM-21 Attack on Border Village

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod 

 

Thai military authorities confirmed on 26 December 2025 that three Thai soldiers were killed during clashes near the Thai–Cambodian border after BM-21 multiple rocket launchers were fired into a civilian area in Sa Kaeo province. The incident occurred in the Ban Nong Chan area of Non Mak Mun subdistrict, Khok Sung district, causing immediate fatalities among Thai forces operating in the area.

 

The First Army Area said the deaths involved one non-commissioned officer and two privates, all serving members of the Royal Thai Army. 17 other troops were also injured in the clashes. The confirmation was issued at 5.00pm following a day of fighting that began early in the morning, with further details to be released later.

 

According to reports, the confrontation started at approximately 6.05am on 26 December, when Thai and Cambodian forces exchanged fire in the border area. During the clashes, Cambodian forces were reported to have used BM-21 multiple rocket launchers to conduct sustained attacks.

 

The rockets were fired towards a civilian zone around Ban Nong Chan, an area within Sa Kaeo province close to the border. The use of heavy weapons raised concerns due to the proximity of residential areas, although no additional casualty figures were officially confirmed.

 

The First Army Area stated that the fatalities occurred in the Ban Nong Chan area during the same day of fighting. Military officials did not immediately release further operational details, citing the need to verify information from the field.

 

Khoasod reported that officials have not yet announced any changes to security measures or evacuation plans for nearby communities. Updates are expected once additional briefings are held and the operational picture becomes clearer.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Three Thai soldiers were confirmed killed on 26 December 2025 during clashes in Sa Kaeo province.

• The First Army Area reported that BM-21 rockets were fired into the Ban Nong Chan civilian area.

• Military authorities said further details would be released following additional verification.