Key Points of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting
The recent Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between Cambodia and Thailand, held in Malaysia, resulted in a comprehensive set of agreements aimed at maintaining peace and stability along the shared border. The discussions focused on several critical areas, including ceasefire arrangements, mechanisms for implementation, and future meetings.
Ceasefire Arrangements
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Comprehensive Ceasefire: Both nations agreed to a complete ceasefire involving all types of weapons and any form of attacks against civilians or military targets. This includes avoiding unprovoked firing towards the other side's positions or troops under any circumstances.
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Troop Deployment: Current troop deployments must remain unchanged as per the ceasefire that started at midnight on July 28, 2025. There will be no movement of troops, including patrols, towards the other side’s positions.
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No Reinforcement: Both sides have committed to not increasing forces along the entire border. Any reinforcement could heighten tensions and hinder long-term resolution efforts.
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Provoke Actions: Neither country will engage in actions that could escalate tensions. This includes refraining from military activities that enter the other side’s airspace, territory, or positions. Additionally, they will avoid constructing or enhancing military infrastructure beyond their own borders.
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Protection of Civilians: Both parties agree to never use force against civilians or civilian objects. Such actions would endanger communities and violate international law, potentially damaging the global image of the non-compliant side.
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Humanitarian Treatment: Compliance with international humanitarian law is required in the treatment of captured soldiers, including their living conditions and medical care. Wounded individuals can be brought in for medical treatment based on the receiving side’s capacity. Captured soldiers will be released and repatriated after hostilities cease, following established legal guidelines. Deceased individuals will be returned in a dignified manner without crossing the border.
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Conflict Resolution: In the event of an armed conflict, both sides must promptly consult through existing bilateral mechanisms to prevent escalation. Prolonged conflict endangers civilians and soldiers and complicates joint resolution efforts.
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Additional Agreements:
- Maintain regular communications between all army areas and military regions along the border.
- Convene the Regional Border Committee (RBC) Meeting within two weeks of the GBC meeting on August 7, 2025.
- Ensure direct lines of communication between ministers and defense force chiefs. Both sides will avoid spreading false information to foster peaceful dialogue.
Mechanism for Ceasefire Implementation
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Commitment to Implementation: Both sides are dedicated to implementing the common understanding reached during the special meeting on July 28, 2025. This includes the ceasefire and the formation of an ASEAN observer team led by Malaysia to ensure compliance.
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Role of RBCs: The respective Regional Border Committees (RBCs) will implement the ceasefire, coordinated and observed by the ASEAN observer team led by Malaysia. The RBCs will meet regularly and submit reports to the GBC through their national chains of command.
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Interim Observer Team (IOT): Until the ASEAN observer team is fully established, an Interim Observer Team (IOT) will be formed. Comprising defense attaches of ASEAN member states accredited to Thailand or Cambodia, the IOT will be led by the Malaysian defense attaché. The IOT will operate independently in each country, without crossing the border, and work closely with the RBCs and GBCs.
Next Steps and Future Meetings
- Schedule for Next Meeting: Both sides have agreed to schedule the next GBC meeting within a month after August 7, 2025, at a venue to be determined. If this is not feasible, an extraordinary GBC meeting should be called immediately with the same format as the previous one to discuss the ceasefire.