On October 22, 2025, the 22nd meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) convened in a climate tinged with both anticipation and cautious optimism. With the future of Thai-Cambodian relations hanging in the balance, the day’s agenda was packed with weighty issues—ranging from the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the border to the growing threat of cyber scams. The stakes were high, as any failure to reach consensus could stall or even derail ongoing efforts to stabilize and secure the region.
According to reports from local Thai media, this meeting marked the final day of a series of intensive negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia. Both sides had spent weeks preparing, with the hope that today’s discussions would yield concrete agreements on several pressing matters. The atmosphere, while tense at times, was also marked by a sense of shared purpose. After all, the outcome would not only determine the immediate security of their shared border but also set the tone for future cooperation between the two nations.
Among the key items on the agenda was the endorsement of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). This document, painstakingly drafted and revised in previous sessions, outlines the operational guidelines for observers tasked with monitoring border activities. Both countries agreed to the draft TOR, a move seen as pivotal in ensuring transparency and accountability in the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the border area. As reported by Thai news outlets, this consensus was reached after "both sides agreed in principle to the draft Terms of Reference (TOR) of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) and the principle of withdrawing heavy weapons."
But that was just the beginning. The meeting also focused on hammering out the details of a joint Action Plan—a roadmap designed to guide the actual removal of heavy weaponry from sensitive border zones. While the main principles were agreed upon, the specifics of implementation remained a subject of ongoing discussion. Both parties committed to continuing their dialogue, with the goal of finalizing the plan in the coming weeks. The sense of urgency was palpable, as the presence of heavy arms near the border has long been a source of tension and mistrust.
Another significant topic was the development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for landmine clearance. Decades of conflict have left the border region littered with unexploded ordnance, posing a deadly risk to civilians and military personnel alike. In a positive step forward, both Thai and Cambodian delegations "agreed in principle to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for mine clearance," according to the meeting summary. However, the Cambodian side indicated that they would need to seek final approval from their superiors before moving ahead. The hope is that, with formal endorsement, joint mine clearance operations can begin in earnest, making the border safer for all.
Cybersecurity also emerged as a major concern. The proliferation of online scams—often orchestrated by transnational criminal networks—has become a thorny issue for both countries. During the GBC meeting, delegates reviewed proposals for a joint action plan to combat cyber scams. While the details are still being ironed out, both sides expressed a strong commitment to working together on this front. As outlined in the official summary, "both parties are in the process of drafting an action plan and have jointly considered related proposals and agreements to serve as a guideline for future cooperation."
It wasn’t just technical matters that dominated the discussions. The meeting also had a distinctly human dimension. Delegates addressed recent incidents involving Cambodian civilians encroaching on Thai territory in the areas of Ban Nong Jan and Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, Sa Kaeo province. Thai representatives used the occasion to formally notify their Cambodian counterparts of plans to construct a border fence along mutually agreed demarcation lines. This move, while potentially controversial, is intended to clarify the boundary and prevent future misunderstandings.
Technology played a role as well. Both sides discussed the urgent need to update the TOR 2003, a document that governs the use of mapping and surveillance technology along the border. The introduction of LiDAR—a cutting-edge remote sensing tool—could revolutionize the way both countries monitor and manage their shared boundary. By providing high-resolution aerial imagery, LiDAR would enable more precise mapping and help resolve lingering disputes over territory. The meeting concluded that "if the meeting reaches a resolution and mutual agreement, it will lead to a joint signing," signaling that both sides are inching closer to a technological upgrade that could benefit all involved.
Despite the progress, the path to consensus was not without its bumps. The meeting started nearly two hours late, reportedly because the Cambodian delegation did not stay overnight on the Thai side. When the talks finally got underway, they were described as "intense," reflecting the complexity and sensitivity of the issues at hand. Still, by the end of the day, there was a palpable sense of achievement. As one Thai official put it, "there is preliminary satisfaction that an action plan has been proposed today."
The day’s events also intersected with the work of the Joint Border Commission (JBC), which met in parallel to the GBC. Led by Prasart Prasartwinitchai on the Thai side and Minister Lam Sia from Cambodia, the JBC focused on broader diplomatic and security concerns. The two commissions worked in tandem, underscoring the multifaceted nature of border management—a task that requires not just military and technical expertise, but also deft diplomacy and a willingness to compromise.
Looking ahead, the outcomes of today’s meeting will be closely watched by stakeholders on both sides of the border. The agreements reached—while not yet finalized—represent significant steps toward a more secure and cooperative future. As the GBC wraps up its 22nd session, the hope is that these initial breakthroughs will pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region.
In the end, the story of the 22nd GBC meeting is one of cautious optimism. While many challenges remain, the willingness of Thailand and Cambodia to sit down together, hash out their differences, and commit to joint action is a testament to the power of dialogue. For the communities living along the border—and for the broader ASEAN region—these efforts offer a glimmer of hope that cooperation, not conflict, will define the future.
