Calm at Cambodian-Thai Border Amid ASEAN Visit; Urges End to "Slingshot Attacks"
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence reported a stable situation along the Cambodian-Thai border in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces between midnight and 6 a. this morning, August 9, 2025.
According to Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for the Ministry, Cambodian forces are maintaining "strong and full vigilance" in accordance with the recently established ceasefire agreement. This comes as an ASEAN delegation is visiting the region to assess the situation and mediate ongoing tensions.
The Ministry's statement emphasized Cambodia's commitment to the ceasefire and peaceful resolution of the border dispute.
However, the statement also strongly condemned the continued use of slingshots by unidentified groups near the border Socheata described these actions as "provocative" and a "violation of the spirit of the ceasefire," calling for an immediate cessation of these "slingshot attacks The ASEAN delegation's visit is seen as a crucial step towards de-escalation Composed of representatives from various ASEAN member states, the delegation aims to foster dialogue between Cambodian and Thai authorities and facilitate a long-term solution to the border issue The delegation's schedule includes meetings with local officials, military commanders, and community representatives on both sides of the border Current SituationThe border region between Cambodia and Thailand has been a source of intermittent conflict for decades, stemming from unresolved territorial claims While both governments have expressed a desire for peaceful coexistence, tensions have flared up periodically, often resulting in minor clashes and displacement of civilians The use of slingshots, while seemingly insignificant, has become a recent point of contention, with both sides accusing the other of instigating these incidents Analysts in Phnom Penh suggest that the slingshot attacks could be attributed to local actors seeking to undermine the ceasefire agreement It's possible that certain elements on both sides are not happy with the current state of affairs and are trying to provoke a reaction," said political analyst Sovannara Srey.
He added that the ASEAN delegation's presence provides a window of opportunity for both governments to reaffirm their commitment to peace and stability in the region
Background
The Cambodian government has reiterated its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with Thailand under the ASEAN framework
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement earlier this week emphasizing Cambodia's belief that a negotiated settlement is the only viable path to a lasting resolution of the border dispute The statement also called on Thailand to exercise restraint and work together to prevent further escalation of tensions
The situation is being closely monitored by the international community, with several countries expressing support for the ASEAN-led mediation efforts The United Nations has also offered its assistance in resolving the dispute, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and respecting the sovereignty of both Cambodia and Thailand The hope is that the ASEAN delegation visit will mark a turning point in the long-standing border dispute and pave the way for a more peaceful and prosperous future for both countries and the ASEAN region as a whole
