Prime Minister Anutin chaired the National Security Council meeting, declaring that if a 72-hour ceasefire is achieved, the Kuala Lumpur Declaration process will proceed with immediate ceasefire upon signing. The National Security Council secretary plans to submit a Cabinet proposal to increase the second round of border relief funding, emphasizing that Thailand will no longer lose sovereign territory to establish sovereignty.
At 15:10 on 26 December 2025 GMT+7, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul presided over a National Security Council (NSC) meeting with relevant agencies attending. Later, at 17:15, Prime Minister Anutin stated that today’s meetings included both the NSC and a Cabinet meeting under Section 8 of the Government Administration Act. The meeting resolved that Defense Minister General Natthaphon Nakpanich would attend the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting with Cambodia’s Defense Minister on 27 December 2025 in Chanthaburi Province, continuing within the four main points of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, provided the defense ministers reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
Regarding the signing, its name is less important than the key points: no aggression, no provocation, and reduction of security threats. Deputy Chief of Staff General Natthapong Praekaew, as GBC secretary, reported after two days of discussions a positive trend. If agreed, it should secure Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as defined by military targets.
, Asked if Thailand would accept a 72-hour ceasefire agreement, Prime Minister Anutin said this was a condition Thailand requested them to accept. If achieved, Thailand would consider releasing detained soldiers. When asked how much trust Thailand places in Cambodia, Anutin replied that Thailand is prepared. Although previous promises were broken, the question now is whether Thailand has achieved its initial objectives. The military reports that territorial integrity has been established. With control over the land, dialogue is possible. He confirmed that Cambodia has seen and accepted the latest draft, which is now mutually agreed upon as of today.
Asked whether Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet approves the draft to be signed, Anutin said these are government-level talks and he does not know Cambodia’s internal approval process. However, if government representatives sign on 27 December, Thailand can be trusted to uphold the agreement. He hopes this signing is final to bring peace and allow residents to return home.
, Regarding whether Thai troops stepping on mines during the 72-hour ceasefire would be responded to, Anutin said the military must protect sovereignty. Negotiations must continue and have a timeline. Previously, after signing, a ceasefire was broken within six hours, which he did not accept. This time, once signed, fighting must stop immediately, with both sides instructed accordingly. This must be the starting point. When pressed again about trust in Cambodia, Anutin declined to answer.
Asked if he has communicated with Hun Manet, Anutin said, "Since the latest clashes, I have not spoken with him because prior talks did not match promises. The last discussion was during the Kuala Lumpur Declaration signing on 26 October, trying to align with the declaration. When the situation deteriorated, we had to reassess. I have not talked directly, but the GBC and JBC committees continue discussions."
Asked if Thailand could respond if firing came from Cambodia during the 72-hour ceasefire, Anutin affirmed that Thailand would follow rules of engagement, maintaining full sovereignty and defense capability. The public should not worry.
National Security Council Secretary Chatichai Bangchuad announced after the 18/2568 NSC meeting that criteria for relief payments have been reviewed to better serve injured and deceased civilians, police, and soldiers, ensuring faster compensation through appropriate processes. An additional 577.3 million baht is proposed to support those affected by the Thailand-Cambodia border clashes in this second round, to be submitted to Cabinet for approval on Tuesday, 30 December 2025 GMT+7.
Reporters noted the Prime Minister’s pre-NSC interview, where he rejected Cambodia’s GBC proposal to revert to pre-conflict territorial status. He stated Thailand has established sovereignty over the disputed areas. The GBC meeting will proceed as usual, while Cambodia communicates through other channels. If Cambodia’s Prime Minister wishes to talk directly, channels are open for dialogue and peaceful resolution based on existing agreements and declarations.
"The principles are clear in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration’s four points, which both sides must follow. This especially includes the immediate clearing of explosive devices, regardless of origin, a practice Thailand has consistently upheld."
Anutin further revealed that clearance operations along the border have found many new explosive devices with clear evidence. ASEAN observers have confirmed that new explosives were brought in, personally inspected, seized, and verified. This evidence supports the facts presented.
"As Thailand’s Prime Minister, I do not speak without evidence. This is not a business negotiation but a matter of national sovereignty, based on facts and real proof."
He also emphasized that disputes should be resolved through proper bilateral mechanisms. The NSC clearly decided this is a bilateral issue between Thailand and Cambodia only. Regarding Cambodia’s GBC proposal to revert to previous status, Anutin said this is impossible since Thailand has already established sovereignty over the areas. Any actions must start from this point, not revert from it. "We have advanced too far to turn back now; that is impossible."