BANGKOK, Aug 28 — Thailand and Cambodia have agreed on 11 resolutions at the Regional Border Committee (RBC) extraordinary meeting in Si Saket, northeastern Thailand, on Wednesday to de-escalate tensions and safeguard peace along their shared border.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Commander of Thailand’s 2nd Army Area Boonsin Padklang, and Commander of Cambodia’s 4th Military Region Pov Heng.
“The meeting is aimed at fostering discussion and increasing confidence to de-escalate tension and maintain peace along the border using all necessary mechanisms to resolve differences peacefully and avoid clashes in the spirit of good neighbourliness, friendship, and solidarity,” the joint statement issued after the RBC meeting read.
Cambodia and Thailand reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to implementing the decisions made at the Special Meeting on July 28 and the General Border Committee (GBC) extraordinary meeting on August 7.
“Both sides agreed to maintain regular communication between border units to resolve issues peacefully and avoid clashes, stressing the need to intensify dialogue to build trust and promote good neighbourliness.
“Thailand and Cambodia agreed not to expand disputes or allow provocative acts by troops or civilians, including inflammatory speech and cross-border military activities, as outlined in the ceasefire that took effect on July 28,” the statement stated.
Both sides also commited to refraining from disseminating false information or fake news in order to de-escalate tensions, mitigate negative public sentiment, and seek to establish practical measures to foster an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue.
They also reaffirmed the importance of humanitarian demining and agreed to refer the matter to the upcoming GBC meeting.
They agreed in principle to set up a coordinating group to boost communication among commanders, liaison groups and border units, with the aim of resolving issues peacefully.
“Both sides reaffirmed their willingness to cooperate and collaborate with each other in combating and preventing transnational crimes, including call center operations (online scams), drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons trafficking, and other cross-border criminal activities by exploring concrete and practical cooperation through existing frameworks,” it stated.
These issues, which fall under the mandate of the General Border Committee (GBC), will be taken up at its upcoming meeting.
Cambodia and Thailand underscored the positive momentum and progress achieved through these engagements in advancing cooperation across all sectors, with the shared aim of returning to normalcy.
The neighbours are working to achieve lasting peace along their 817km border, which has long been a source of disputes. Tensions most recently flared into a military confrontation at the Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear border areas on July 24.
Both governments subsequently agreed to defuse the situation, which was closely monitored by Malaysia as Asean chair, as well as the United States and China.
