Prime Minister Anutin Chanvirakul said he was unaware of the Chinese ambassador acting as a mediator to resolve the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. He said that anyone wanting to speak should tell Cambodia to stop harming Thailand. He recalled the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, stating Thailand has completed all four points, but Cambodia has never complied with them.
On 18 December 2025 GMT+7 at the Government House, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Chanvirakul addressed whether China would send a special envoy to Thailand and Cambodia on 18 December to mediate the border clashes between the two countries. He said he had not been informed of this and that any contact might have been through diplomatic channels, of which he was unaware. Regarding whether China would act as a mediator, the Prime Minister said that probably would not be the case.
When asked about Thailand’s stance, the Prime Minister said that anyone wishing to speak should tell Cambodia to stop shooting at Thailand and stop harming the country. He emphasized that Thailand has never initiated aggression, only defending and responding, and that historically Thailand has never invaded any neighboring countries in all directions.
Regarding Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s plan to use the upcoming special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting on 22 December to initiate new talks for a ceasefire along the Thai-Cambodian border, the Prime Minister said that it was merely an invitation to ASEAN foreign ministers. Previously, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew said he would not attend the Kuala Lumpur meeting but would go to Jakarta instead. However, Anwar called back to insist on returning to Kuala Lumpur since many negotiations had started there, to which Anutin agreed without issue, emphasizing that the government acts rationally as long as Thailand’s interests are not harmed.
As for whether the talks would lead to renewed conflict, the Prime Minister questioned whether it would be Thailand. He said there are four points signed in agreement, all of which Thailand has implemented.
“We have withdrawn troops, weapons, and landmines—we have done all that. We have cracked down heavily on scammers. Did Cambodia do the same? They withdrew people quickly, but weapons remain, unlike Thailand. They have not removed landmines but let them explode, and scammers remain active. Thailand has done everything. Villages like Nong Jan and Nong Ya Kaeo do not cooperate in management. Those wanting peace talks should ask themselves who is hitting whom,” he said.
When asked when the situation might end, the Prime Minister said, “We are protecting sovereignty, dignity, territory, and the safety of our people. We are doing just that and have no other objectives.”