UPDATES:
18:35: As of 17:30 today, the barbed wires laid by Thai forces in An Ses area on August 4, 2025, as well as their machinery, were removed. It follows discussions and negotiations between the Cambodian and Thai forces positioned in An Ses area, according to the Ministry of National Defense spokesperson.
16:10: National Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata gave a press briefing that Thai forces continue to violate Cambodia’s territorial integrity.
“At 9:09 a.m, Thai machinery continued to excavate the site, and at 9:50 a.m, a Thai truck carrying concrete bunker materials, including tires and sandbags (already prepared), dropped them in front of their outpost,” she said.
“At 9:53 a.m, the Thai military continued digging trenches. At 10:55 a.m, another Thai machinery arrived and started work behind the police post, approximately 15 meters from the Cambodian military position. It placed sandbags and tires into the trench,” she added.
The actions by Thailand are outrageous, violating the ceasefire agreement and encroaching on Cambodia’s territorial integrity, Socheata remarked.
“Since the morning of August 5, the Cambodian military has been in direct contact with Thai forces, demanding the immediate withdrawal of their troops and the removal of all machinery from Cambodia’s sovereign territory,” she said.
“But, there has been no withdrawal to date, as discussions between the two sides continue,” she added.
The government has called on the Thai military to immediately remove the barbed wires and heavy machinery in the An Ses area, located within Cambodia’s sovereign territory, while urging Thailand to carry out “concrete action” to fully implement the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
However, the Thai side claimed that it “seized” the area before the ceasefire resolution, asserting that the area “lies within Thailand’s border” and “must remain under Thai control”.
“Thailand must stop the hostility, remove the barbed wire and withdraw its machinery from Cambodia’s sovereign territory. The Thai side cannot use [this incident under] any pretext to hide the truth,” National Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Yesterday, Cambodia condemned Thailand for reinforcing troops and deploying heavy machinery in An Ses in Preah Vihear province.
Socheata reminded that Cambodia organized a visit for foreign military attachés to these locations on July 30, 2025, which is a clear demonstration that the areas are within Cambodia’s territory.
In a press briefing today, she said the situation along the frontline in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey remained calm and stable as of 11 a.m.
The General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, which is currently taking place in Kuala Lumpur as part of the ceasefire deal following five days of border fighting with Thailand, kicked off with a secretariat meeting and will end with the full GBC talks on August 7. Amid this, both sides traded blame for fresh violations of the truce agreed on July 28.
Socheata said Cambodia reaffirmed its full commitment to the ceasefire agreement reached with efforts initiated by U.S President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and the participation of China. The ceasefire was widely welcomed by the international community.
Following Cambodia’s request to the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide assistance in the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers classified as prisoners of war, the international body was allowed by the Thai army to visit them. Cambodia continues to push for their release.
Twenty soldiers were initially captured during a skirmish on July 29 after a ceasefire was reached but two, who were in poor health, were sent.
Political analyst Meas Nee said Thailand’s actions appeared “provocative” and was tantamount to breaching the ceasefire. The move is a “flagrant violation” of the truce due to the fresh installation of barbed wire, which he alleged is intended to “provoke gunfire again”, noting similarities to the incident at Ta Moan Thom on July 24. At the time, the incident led to an exchange of fire between the two sides along the border.
“It seems that Thailand wants Cambodia to respond with fighting, and then Thai forces will launch an attack,” he said.
He emphasized that prolonged border tensions would place further economic burden on the citizens of both countries.
Meas Nee said major powers, such as the U.S. and China, continue to play a significant role, as Cambodia maintains good relations with them to ensure security in the region and globally.
Another political analyst, Em Sovannara, said measures such as the ceasefire monitoring committee, established jointly with Malaysia, and more mechanisms and activities along Cambodia-Thailand’s 800 kilometer border, could bring peace to citizens in both countries.
“In order to maintain stability and prevent these problems from recurring, as an international mechanism, Cambodia must appeal to the International Court of Justice to resolve the border dispute,” he said.
“Second, Cambodia must strengthen the [armed] forces, and if we don’t strengthen it, powerful countries will still violate [our sovereignty],” Sovannara added.
