AKP Phnom Penh, November 05, 2025 --

The Spokesperson of the Royal Government of Cambodia this evening issued a press statement, reaffirming Cambodia’s steadfast commitment to the full implementation of the Joint Statement on the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement and calling upon the Thai side to fully respect and adhere to the same

The full statement reads as follows:

"The Royal Government Spokesperson wishes to inform the general public that since the signing of the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025 witnessed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister, H.E. Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as the ASEAN rotating Chair, Cambodia has been firmly respecting and implementing all agreed points.

In fact, right after the signing of this Joint Declaration, Cambodia and Thailand began implementing the agreements regarding the partial removal of heavy and destructive weapons from border areas as a symbolic demonstration on the night of October 26, 2025, under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). Subsequently, both parties agreed to withdraw the heavy and destructive weapons and in specific phases, starting from November 1, 2025.

In the meantime, both parties are working on other issues such as cooperation in combating transnational crimes, including cybercrime, human trafficking and humanitarian demining etc... The Cambodian side has been actively and sincerely working to maintain peace between the two countries, Cambodia and Thailand, as well as peace and stability within the ASEAN region as a whole. The Cambodian Leadership and Government officials have exercised high restraint so as to create an environment conducive for the effective implementation of the Joint Declaration.

However, in recent days, The Royal Government Spokesperson has ascertained that Thai high-ranking officials, both civilian and military, have continuously made remarks which are not in line with the spirit and terms of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration. Specifically, those Thai officials and officers have employed the points agreed upon in the Joint Declaration as conditions for the release of the 18 Cambodian soldiers captured under the captivity of the Thai military, and have further formulated new conditions, for instance, the case of Ta Krabei Temple, by threatening the use of military force to seize the temple, thus escalating the tense situation and raising concerns over the loss of mutual trust in peaceful resolution as stipulated in the Joint Declaration.

The assertions made by certain Thai officials contradict the Point 4 of the Joint Declaration, which stipulates that both parties agree to "refrain from disseminating or promoting false information, accusations, allegations, and harmful rhetoric, whether through official government channels or unofficial platforms, in order to de-escalate tensions, mitigate negative public sentiment, and foster an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue".

Another important point to note is that the Thai side has not complied with the spirit of the Joint Declaration. As of November 5, 2025, it has been ten days since the Joint Declaration was signed, and Thailand has yet released the 18 Cambodian soldiers and this contradicts the spirit of the Joint Declaration, in which Thailand is expected to promptly release the 18 Cambodian soldiers in accordance with the spirit of implementing the obligations of international humanitarian laws. It should be noted that Point 5 of the Joint Declaration stipulates that 'Further, as a demonstration of Thailand's desire to promote mutual confidence and trust, Thailand undertakes to promptly release the prisoners of war.'

The Royal Government Spokesperson urges Thailand to strictly respect and implement all terms stipulated in the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration without engaging in provocative statements that could escalate tensions or undermine mutual trust, which could hamper the environment conducive to peaceful dialogue. Cambodia also urges Thailand to cease imposing other conditions which are inconsistent with the Joint Declaration in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the agreed points reached in previous meetings. It is, therefore, very important that both parties firmly implement this Joint Declaration with sincerity and in good faith for mutual benefit of both countries.

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2025"

H.E. Pen Bona, Spokesperson of the Royal Government of Cambodia