01/08/2025
To our respected non-Thai customers,What is in the post is about the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
Today (August 1, 2025), the Royal Thai Army (RTA), led by Lieutenant General Anuparp Sirimonthon, Deputy Chief of Staff of the RTA and head of the Army's delegation, together with H.E. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and their accompanying delegation, brought ambassadors and chargés d'affaires from 11 countries (including the U.S., China, Brunei, Japan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines).
Also joining were military attachés from 23 countries (including China, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, Russia, Singapore, Germany, India, Laos, Canada, France, the United States, the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Italy, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Sweden, Switzerland, Brunei, Turkey, and the United Kingdom), along with Thai and international media representatives, totaling over 150 people. They traveled to the Thai-Cambodian border in Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket provinces.
The purpose of this visit is to receive briefings on the situation, inspect, and observe the impact on Thai civilians caused by Cambodia's use of long-range weapons. These actions stem from the tense situation between Thailand and Cambodia and are considered violations of international law and humanitarian principles.
During this visit, two important issues were further clarified to provide the delegation with comprehensive facts on the ground:
Issue 1: Case of Detained Personnel
The recent conflict between Thailand and Cambodia escalated to the use of military force, resulting in the Thai side detaining 20 Cambodian soldiers. All of these individuals are classified as "detained persons" who are under the protection of international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, and Thailand's domestic laws, which the Royal Thai Army has strictly adhered to throughout.
Today, the Thai side proceeded with the repatriation of two of these detained personnel to the Cambodian side via the Chong Chom Permanent Border Checkpoint in Surin Province at 10:30 AM. Of the soldiers being returned, one sustained injuries, and the other is suffering from a psychiatric condition. This repatriation of detained personnel was conducted in full accordance with humanitarian principles under the Geneva Conventions and international law. Furthermore, the Thai side will continue to care for all remaining detained personnel to the best of its ability, in line with human rights principles.
Issue 2: Case of Cambodia Leading Military Attachés to An Ma Pass Area
On July 31, 2025, the Cambodian side led military attachés stationed in Cambodia to the area of An Ma Pass and the Ta Om Monument, despite the situation in that area still not being safe for diplomatic travel.
The Royal Thai Army reaffirms that the An Ma Pass area is sovereign Thai territory. The Cambodian side has encroached upon it by constructing buildings and bringing its citizens to reside there, which clearly constitutes a distortion of facts and a violation of international agreements.
In the past, the Thai side has submitted numerous protest letters regarding these actions under the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) but has received no response from the Cambodian side. Moreover, construction continues to increase, particularly the er****on of the monument, which is evidently intended as a tool to gain an advantage in claiming sovereignty over Thai territory.
Regarding the damage reported in the media yesterday, it resulted from fighting in the aforementioned area. The Thai side's objective was to target military installations where Cambodian forces were using civilian structures as cover. However, it is confirmed that no Thai civilians were injured or killed in that specific incident.
Best regards.
