The Foreign Minister stated that if Cambodia wants a ceasefire, it must be sincere because Thailand was not the party that started the conflict. He refuted rumors of 5,000 Thai soldier deaths and pointed out that media freedom in Cambodia is limited.
On 17 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke about the tense situation at the Thailand-Cambodia border, now on its 10th day. He said Thailand has acted to protect its sovereignty and hopes that at some point Cambodia will be ready to seriously discuss a ceasefire. However, Cambodia must initiate this because it was the party that started the fighting.
Regarding Cambodian media reports claiming more than 5,000 Thai soldiers have died in the fighting, Mr. Sihasak said the credibility of such information is questionable. He reminded that the freedom of expression in Cambodian media differs from Thailand’s, and their verification processes are not the same. He confirmed that the Thai military remains strong in defending the border and is prepared to respond to the situation, while also keeping diplomatic channels open to restore peace in the border area.