The Ministry of Defense said the General Border Committee Secretariat meeting began on the second day at 9.05am on December 25 at Prom-Pak Kard Permanent Border Checkpoint (Thailand Ministry of Defence)
Secretary-level talks under the Thailand-Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC) on December 24 in Chanthaburi were widely presented as a step towards de-escalation.
In practice, however, the talks appeared more “performative” than productive, raising doubts about whether either side was prepared to move beyond the status quo.
On the first day, the meeting lasted only for 35 minutes, an unusually short duration for discussions involving an active border confrontation.
Thailand arrived with three firm conditions: 1) a complete and verifiable ceasefire, 2) Cambodian cooperation in landmine clearance, and 3) immediate and constant end to exchanges of fire. Additionally, Thai officials stated unequivocally that they would not sign any deal that was deemed ambiguous or subject to interpretation.
While these demands are understandable from a security perspective, they leave little room for early compromise.
This rigidity was evident at the very start of the meeting, when the Cambodian delegation reportedly waited for Thai officials to step to the midpoint of the border bridge, which could be seen as a subtle but significant occasion that highlighted ongoing sensitivities over protocol and symbolism.
Although officials have spoken of continued talks and even a possible agreement by December 27, the first session suggests that a quick breakthrough is unlikely.
Moreover, fighting continues amid the talks, with SEA Daily recording at least 20 deaths on December 24.
Ultimately, these gestures suggest that meaningful discussion on the core issues of legal demarcation is unlikely.
Without it, these meetings risk becoming symbolic pauses, some brief moments of calm before the next round of confrontation.
About The Author
