Bangkok / Phnom Penh – In a significant cooling of recent tensions, Thai and Cambodian military forces at the disputed Chong Bok border pass have agreed today to withdraw to their 2024 positions following intensive negotiations, according to statements from both governments.
Recent Events Overview
In May 2025, tensions spiked at Chong Bok when Cambodian troops were observed digging trenches near the contested border zone. Thai troops confronted the activity, resulting in a brief exchange of fire that left one Cambodian soldier dead. The incident triggered strong political responses in both capitals and led Cambodia to threaten to escalate the matter to the International Court of Justice. Thailand urged bilateral dialogue, and after a week of negotiations, both sides reached the current agreement to pull back to the status quo ante.
What happened:
- Under the terms of the agreement, Cambodia will decommission and fill in all trenches it had dug in the disputed zone, restoring the land to its pre-2024 state.
- Thai and Cambodian military leaders have also agreed to institutionalise weekly dialogue, convening border-security talks every Monday to ensure sustained peace and prevent further incidents.
Diplomatic breakthrough:
This agreement followed a tense standoff in late May during which both sides exchanged fire after Cambodian soldiers were seen digging defensive positions. One Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed in the incident, further heightening bilateral tensions.
Thailand’s Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai praised the move as “a step back from the brink,” noting that today’s deal prevents the risk of escalation. Cambodia’s military leadership confirmed that once the trenches are removed, the border terrain will be fully restored.
Looking ahead:
With trenches filled and troops withdrawn to 2024 positions, both governments now commit to weekly military-to-military check-ins aimed at keeping tensions down and communication channels open.
Thailand and Cambodia have also scheduled a Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) meeting for mid-June to discuss further delineation and avoid repeat disputes, as part of their bilateral resolution framework under the 2000 memorandum.
Final Take
Today’s breakthrough shows both governments are serious about avoiding repeat incidents like the Chong Bok skirmish. The removal of trenches, joint troop withdrawals, and regular talks signal a return to diplomatic balance—though deeper border disputes remain unresolved without recourse to the International Court of Justice.