GBC meeting achieves 5-point agreement, ready to open border controls to boost the economy.

General Nattaphon Narkphanit, Deputy Minister of Defence, led a Thai delegation to meeting no. 1/2025 of the Special GBC. /Photo:Team Thailand

On September 10, 2025 General Nattaphon Narkphanit, Deputy Defence Minister led a Thai delegation to Koh Kong Province, Cambodia, for the 1st special meeting of the Thailand-Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC). The meeting was chaired by   Cambodian Minister of National Defence General Tea Seiha.

This meeting followed up on the last GBC meeting in Malaysia, focusing on the implementation of the ceasefire accord and its conditions for restoring permanent peace and security to the border area.   The conference was conducted smoothly, indicating that the bilateral process to resolve problems between the two countries had been executed effectively.

Nattaphon stated the following significant improvement agreed upon at the meeting:

The removal of heavy weaponry and weapons of mass destruction from the border area and their return to their original places. The GBC-RBC secretariat will meet in 3 weeks to draft a plan within the timeframe specified with the cooperation of the   Interim Observer Team (IOT).   

Mine removal by a joint coordination committee has been formed between the GBC Secretariat and TMAC   They will meet in one week to devise a mine clearing strategy and designate pilot zones along the border within one month.

Photo:Team Thailand

Online crime suppression: The Ministry of Interior and the Royal Thai Police will form a working group within a week to prepare a cooperative action strategy.   The Thai side has provided information and coordinated the locations of over 60 scam centers in Cambodia to ensure effective enforcement.   Thai and Cambodian police representatives have previously discussed and organized the deal, which will take place on September 16th in Sa Kaeo Province.

The Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) has been tasked with discussing and clarifying the management of the Ban Nong Chan area.   The RBC will discuss management standards inside the JBC framework and the governors from both sections will collaborate. If this strategy proves successful, it will be used to handle additional areas.

Reducing border crossing restrictions at specific points to mitigate the impact on businesses and cross-border transport.   The RBC mechanism has been tasked with discussing the feasibility of enabling cross-border goods transport at certain areas where security issues occur.   The meeting will start at the Chanthaburi and Trat border crossings.

General Nattaphon added that a crucial outcome of the conference was the agreement between both parties to remove heavy weapons from border areas, clear mines, and combat internet crimes. Thailand prioritizes these issues, while Cambodia has yet to respond.   The next meeting will be held within 30 days and hosted by Thailand.   

Thailand and Cambodia hold Special GBC Meeting in Koh Kong Province, with Deputy Minister of Defence On 10th September 2025 /Photo:Team Thailand

He also highlighted that Thailand and Cambodia cannot move on from each other, thus it is critical that both countries address the matter peacefully in order to restore calm to the border areas and allow the people of both countries to resume regular lives.   During meetings with PM Anutin Charnvirakul, he highlighted the need of defending Thai sovereignty and prioritizing the military while also prioritizing the people's well-being.   To reduce tensions, the meeting will be prioritized in Chanthaburi and Trat province, commencing with the first phase.

Finally, General Nattaphon stated that the meeting proceeded well, but continued monitoring of Cambodia's commitment to implementing the meeting's resolutions remains a key priority. Issues requiring immediate resolution include demining and the Ban Nong Chan area and he urged Cambodia to respond to this matter.

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Source of material: official media /online news