Phnom penh: Cambodia and Thailand simultaneously began the first phase of their commitment to withdraw heavy and destructive weapons and equipment from border areas in Preah Vihear province this evening. The operation was carried out under the observation and verification of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) stationed in both Cambodia and Thailand.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, this move follows the special meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Regional Border Committee (RBC) between Cambodia’s Military Region 4 and Thailand’s 2nd Army Area on Oct. 31, 2025, during which both sides agreed on a concrete plan for the gradual and phased removal of heavy and destructive weapons and equipment. The first phase of the removal is set to occur over three weeks, from Nov. 1 to 21, 2025.

It should be noted that, following the signing of the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025, both parties, as a gesture of goodwill, began a partial withdrawal by removing two armored vehicles each to their original positions at 9:00 p.m. on the same day. On the Cambodian side, the first phase of the removal took place at two designated locations: Choam Ksant district and Rovieng district in Preah Vihear province.

‘Cambodia firmly hopes that both parties will fully and effectively implement the Joint Declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur, with sincerity, goodwill, and transparency, to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, development, and a swift return to normalcy – benefiting both countries and their peoples for generations to come,’ underlined H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, Spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, this evening.