Image Credentials: Image Title: Thailand’s New Foreign Minister Calls for Troop Reductions Along Cambodia Border Source: (Sora.ChatGpt) Date: September 2025. Attribution: Created using AI-generated imagery (Sora.ChatGpt), this does not depict a real-world scene.
By Liam Scott | Staff Writer with Agencies
BANGKOK — Thailand and Cambodia should reduce their military presence along their shared border and cooperate to de-escalate tensions, Thailand’s new foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Thursday, marking his first day in office.
Sworn in alongside Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday, Sihasak emphasized the importance of upholding the ceasefire agreed by Thailand and Cambodia following a deadly five-day conflict in July.
“Peace needs reduction of forces, like the withdrawing of heavy weaponry from border areas to reduce the risk of violence,” Sihasak told reporters. “We have agreed these things in principle, but what we need to see now is progress.”
Joint Actions for Stability
Sihasak highlighted that the two countries need to implement joint measures agreed during a recent dialogue. These include:
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Reduction of military forces along the border
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Clearance of landmines
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Crackdown on illegal activities in the area
The new foreign minister described securing peace between the Southeast Asian neighbors as a top priority.
Historical Context and Recent Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty over various undemarcated points along their 817-kilometre border for over a century, with the first maps drawn by France in 1907 when Cambodia was a French colony.
Tensions escalated into armed conflict in July, including artillery fire and fighter jet sorties, resulting in at least 48 deaths and the temporary displacement of thousands of residents. It marked the heaviest fighting between the two nations in over a decade.
The July clashes ended after both countries agreed to a ceasefire brokered in Malaysia on July 28. While the border has remained mostly calm since then, simmering tensions continue to pose a risk to stability.
Outlook
Sihasak’s call for troop reductions and continued dialogue signals a renewed commitment to diplomacy and border security. Analysts say that implementation of the agreed measures, including demilitarization and mine clearance, will be key to preventing future escalations and fostering long-term peace along the historically contested border.