The agreement was reached during their General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Cambodia’s Koh Kong province yesterday (Sept 10), reports the Bangkok Post. The session was co-chaired by acting Thai Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit and Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha.
Gen Nattaphon announced the outcomes at Centara Chaan Talay Resort Hotel in Trat province, bordering Cambodia.
He said both sides agreed to withdraw heavy weapons and military equipment from border areas to their normal bases. The secretarial staff of the Joint Boundary Commission and Regional Border Committee will discuss an action plan for weaponry withdrawal within three weeks, with completion in a specified timeframe.
Regarding mine clearance, a Thai-Cambodian coordination committee will be formed within one week to develop a mine clearance plan and identify pilot areas to begin clearance within one month.
Fourteen Thai soldiers have been injured by Cambodian landmines in Thai border areas since mid-July, and six of them each lost a leg. The latest explosion occurred on Aug 27.
For online crime and scam suppression, authorities from both countries will establish a working group in one week to formulate a joint action plan.
“Thailand handed over data and locations of more than 60 scam centres in Cambodia for decisive suppression,” Gen Nattaphon said. The police representatives will meet in Sa Kaeo province on Sept 16 to discuss further.
Addressing border tensions in Ban Nong Cha village, Sa Kaeo, the Joint Boundary Commission will work out solutions, and the Regional Border Committee will later discuss relevant actions. Pending solutions, governors of Sa Kaeo and Banteay Meanchey will jointly maintain order in the village.
“If this model proves successful, it will be applied in other areas with similar issues,” Gen Nattaphon added.
To support cross-border trade, the Regional Border Committee will discuss resuming cargo transport through secure crossings, starting with those in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces.
“Beyond weapon withdrawal, a key achievement is the agreement on concrete action plans for landmine clearance and online scam suppression," said the acting minister. "These issues Cambodia had not previously addressed."
Thai agencies will follow up with Cambodia to ensure swift implementation.
“Thailand and Cambodia cannot move away from each other. It is imperative that both countries resolve issues peacefully so that peace may return to the border areas and the people can once again live their lives in normalcy and peace,” Gen Nattaphon added.
Thailand will host the next GBC meeting in 30 days.
Tensions between the two countries showed signs of easing after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet congratulated Mr Anutin and sought normalised relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Clashes between the two countries erupted on July 24, with at least 36 people killed and more than 150,000 civilians displaced on both sides of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border. Tensions escalated as heavy artillery fire and aerial strikes were reported, and both sides accused each other of targeting civilian areas.
Thailand and Cambodia share a history of border disputes, though relations have remained largely stable since a deadly 2011 clash that left dozens dead. The last major flare-up centred on the Preah Vihear temple, a historic flashpoint rooted in colonial-era disagreements.
Much of the current dispute stems from maps drawn on differing interpretations of early 20th century Franco-Siamese treaties, which defined the border between Thailand and Cambodia, then part of French Indochina.