He was referring to the conditional ceasefire deal signed by both parties during the third special meeting of the Thai-Cambodia General Border Committee on Saturday, which was held at Ban Pakkad border checkpoint in Chanthaburi, reports the Bangkok Post.
Under the deal, both Thailand and Cambodia agreed to simultaneously cease fire for 72 hours, starting from midday on Saturday.
Both countries’ forces are required to remain in their current positions, with no redeployment or reinforcement, and refrain from carrying out attacks, provocations or threats.
The situation will be monitored for at least 72 hours to verify that the ceasefire is real and sustained, he said. “The ceasefire was not a matter of trust, but of verification.
“A genuine end to hostilities must be demonstrated through actions rather than words,” he said.
The success, he said, must be judged by conduct on the ground, not by unilateral statements or declarations.
Gen Natthaphon underlined that Thailand retains its inherent right to self-defence under international law should the ceasefire fail or be violated by Cambodia.
Any use of force, he said, will be governed by the principles of necessity and proportionality, with the protection of civilians as the overriding priority.
He said residents along the border can return to their homes once the situation is stable. Residents of some areas began returning yesterday.
The ceasefire will be monitored by multiple observers - including regional observers from ASEAN and local observers from the Thai–Cambodian Border Coordination Office - to prevent misunderstandings that could reignite tensions.
Gen Natthaphon said the ceasefire will not compromise Thailand’s sovereignty or national dignity, adding all decisions taken to date were made to ensure the safety of the public and the honour of the nation.
Wanwichit Boonprong, an adviser to the defence minister, said in a Facebook post yesterday the signing of the ceasefire agreement is in line with Thailand’s strategic objectives.
As Thai forces have re-established control over key strategic areas, the Cambodian government can now only engage Thailand through bilateral frameworks - thus limiting external interference, he said.