Koh kong: Thailand and Cambodia are moving forward to restore peace on the border. The results of the special GBC meeting in Koh Kong concluded five important issues, from the withdrawal of heavy weapons, clearing mines, suppressing scammers, and managing disputed areas. The Deputy Minister of Defense emphasized that the two countries must coexist peacefully.
According to Thai News Agency, General Nattapol Nakphanit, Deputy Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Defense, announced the results of a special meeting of the Thailand-Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC) on September 10, 2025, in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia. The meeting followed up on progress in implementing the GBC results from the recent meeting in Malaysia to permanently restore peace and tranquility to the border area. He also emphasized that the overall Thai-Cambodian border situation, following more than a month of ceasefire, has become more peaceful, although some concerns remain that need to be addressed to restore full confidence.
The meeting results summarized the important points as follows:
1. The withdrawal of heavy weapons and equipment of mass destruction from the border area and returning them to their normal locations. The GBC and RBC secretariats will meet within three weeks to develop an action plan and begin moving forces within the specified timeframe, with the IOT observer team participating in the observation.
2. Mine clearance: A joint coordination committee, consisting of the GBC Secretariat and the Thai and Cambodian Mine Centers, will be established within one week to develop a mine clearance plan and identify pilot areas along the Thai-Cambodian border to begin operations within one month.
3. To combat online crimes or scammers, the Ministries of the Interior and the Royal Thai Police of both sides have been tasked with establishing a working group within one week to develop a joint action plan. The Thai side has handed over information and coordinates of over 60 scam centers in Cambodia to the Cambodian side for decisive suppression, a matter the two working groups will discuss. Today, representatives of the Thai police and the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police of Cambodia met informally to schedule a coordination meeting under this agreement, scheduled for September 16th in Sa Kaeo Province.
4. Border area management, particularly in the Ban Nong Chan case. The meeting assigned the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to discuss and clarify the area, and the Regional Border Committee (RBC) to discuss management approaches based on the JBC discussions. Meanwhile, the governors of Sa Kaeo and Banteay Meanchey provinces will coordinate to manage the situation and maintain peace and order. If this model is successful, it will be applied to the management of other areas facing similar problems.
5. Both sides discussed easing border crossing restrictions for certain types and points during the current situation to minimize impacts on businesses and cross-border transport. The RBC mechanism was assigned to discuss the possibility of allowing the transport of goods through certain border crossings where security concerns are not present, potentially beginning with border crossings along the Chanthaburi and Trat provinces.
In addition, both sides have outlined action plans on two prioritized issues for which Cambodia has not previously responded: mine clearance and the suppression of scammers. Relevant Thai agencies will follow up with Cambodia to ensure swift implementation of the agreement. The next special GBC meeting is scheduled to take place within 30 days, with Thailand hosting the meeting.
General Nattapol concluded by stating that Thailand and Cambodia cannot move away from each other. Therefore, it is imperative that both countries resolve the issues peacefully to bring peace to the border areas and allow the people of both countries to return to normal life.