BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai and Cambodian defense officials met on October 20 in Kuala Lumpur to prepare for the upcoming 2nd Special Session of the General Border Committee (GBC), scheduled for October 23. The Thai delegation, led by Nuttapong Praokaew, Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, presented a four-point agenda for discussion at the full committee session.
The proposed agenda includes withdrawal of heavy weapons, landmine clearance operations, suppression of cybercrime and online scams, and border area management—pending outcomes of ongoing negotiations under the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). These items build on agreements reached during the first GBC special session held in Koh Kong, Cambodia, on September 10. The Cambodian side agreed to the proposed framework.
Working group sessions are scheduled to begin on Tuesday (Oct 21), with one group scheduled to address military and demining issues, while the other will focus on cross-border cybercrime. These sessions will continue through October 22, with both sides preparing supporting documents and recommendations for the high-level meeting.
The GBC meeting on October 23 will be co-chaired by the defense ministers of both countries. The gathering, taking place at the Malaysian Armed Forces Officers Mess in Kuala Lumpur, is expected to set the direction for joint operations and long-term cooperation on border management.
