FM insists on three ceasefire conditions for Cambodia, says up to 6,000 Thais in Poipet
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry says Cambodia must declare a ceasefire first, maintain it continuously and co-operate on mine clearance before talks can begin, while estimating 5,000–6,000 Thais are in Poipet and 669 have registered in Phnom Penh to return.
The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday reiterated three conditions it wants Cambodia to meet before Thailand will enter ceasefire talks, while saying an estimated 5,000–6,000 Thai nationals are in Poipet.
Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, restated the conditions at a 10am press conference at the Joint Information Centre on the Thailand–Cambodia situation. She was responding to calls from several countries for Thailand and Cambodia to negotiate a ceasefire, saying Thailand has consistently made its position clear through the prime minister, the foreign minister and the ministry’s spokesperson.
Thailand’s three ceasefire conditions for Cambodia
Maratee said that under international practice, a ceasefire is a matter for the two countries in conflict and must be demonstrated through concrete actions — something Thailand is still waiting to see from Cambodia.
Thailand has set three key conditions for a meaningful ceasefire:
- Cambodia must declare a ceasefire first, as the side that has encroached on Thai territory.
- The ceasefire must be real and sustained, not a temporary halt followed by renewed violence.
- Cambodia must co-operate in mine clearance seriously and in good faith, an issue Thailand has long prioritised under the Ottawa Convention.
She reiterated that all Thai operations are carried out under the right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter and are consistent with international humanitarian law, principles Thailand adheres to strictly.
Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on December 22
On diplomatic developments, Maratee said Malaysia’s foreign ministry has announced it will convene a Special ASEAN Ministers’ Meeting on December 22. Thailand’s foreign minister is ready to attend and believes an issue of this importance should be discussed in person to enable serious talks. Details, including participation by all ASEAN member states, are currently being co-ordinated.
Thai nationals in Cambodia: Phnom Penh registrations and Poipet estimates
The Foreign Ministry also updated efforts to assist Thai nationals in Cambodia. At present, 669 Thais have registered with the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh to return to Thailand, though the figure may change daily. As of December 15, 352 Thais had already left Phnom Penh, four were awaiting confirmed travel arrangements, and 317 remained.
In Poipet, the number of Thais is estimated at around 5,000–6,000, though this is only an estimate as not everyone has registered.
Emergency documents and flights from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
The ministry said it stands ready to facilitate emergency travel documents and air travel from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, urging Thais in Cambodia who wish to return to contact the embassy or the consulate-general at any time.
