An ASEAN Interim Observer Team (IOT), led by Malaysia's Defence Attaché to Cambodia, Colonel Nazlee Abdul Rahim, has concluded a two-day mission to monitor the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border. The mission, which took place from August 14 to 15, 2025, aimed to assess the implementation of the ceasefire that began on July 28, 2025, following previous armed clashes that resulted in casualties and displacement.
The observer team, comprising defense attachés from Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam, conducted field visits to affected areas in Banteay Meanchey Province. During their visit, the team observed the installation of barbed wire and tires by Thai forces, which had been previously reported by Cambodian authorities. The mission also included inspections at border checkpoints such as Poipet, O'Bei Choan, and Boeung Trakoun, as well as the An Ses Border Checkpoint in Preah Vihear Province. This mission is part of broader efforts to maintain the ceasefire and facilitate a peaceful resolution to the long-standing territorial dispute between the two nations.
The Cambodian Ministry of Defense has called on Thailand to adhere to the spirit of the ceasefire and pursue peaceful solutions in accordance with international law. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue to de-escalate tensions. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently held a trilateral meeting with his Cambodian and Thai counterparts in Yunnan Province, China, on the sidelines of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting. During the meeting, China expressed its readiness to assist both countries in resolving their border disputes, encouraging dialogue, clarifying misunderstandings, and rebuilding trust. China also offered support for demining operations in the border areas.
The historical border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand originates from French-Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907. While the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that the Preah Vihear Temple belonged to Cambodia, the boundaries in the surrounding areas have remained a source of tension. Sporadic armed clashes have occurred over the years, including between 2008 and 2011, resulting in fatalities on both sides. The current ceasefire, mediated by Malaysia and observed by countries like the United States and China, is viewed as a significant but fragile diplomatic achievement. The situation along the border remains a focus of attention, with both sides striving to maintain calm while engaging in diplomatic efforts. The visit of the ASEAN observer team and high-level dialogues involving regional powers like China underscore the importance of stability and peace in the region. Continued commitment to dialogue and adherence to international law will be crucial for achieving a lasting resolution to this long-standing border dispute.