Cambodia Explains Border Demarcation Stalled to ASEAN Observer Team

Cambodia has briefed the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT-KH) on the progress of border demarcation and pillar installation work between Cambodia and Thailand. The briefing was delivered by Mr. Phrom Suon Vattanak, Head of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Demarcation Working Group of the Secretariat of State for Border Affairs, on Monday, July 27, 2026, in Siem Reap province. According to a press release from the Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Rear Admiral Glenn Z. Dizon, Head of Mission of the ASEAN Observer Team (HOM AOT), from the Philippines, and the ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH) attended the briefing. The meeting was organized to demonstrate the Cambodian government's stance on consistently resolving border issues through peaceful means in accordance with international law, utilizing existing bilateral mechanisms and adhering to relevant conventions, treaties, and bilateral agreements. In response to numerous questions from the ASEAN Observer Team regarding the progress of border surveying and demarcation on the ground, the representative of the Secretariat of State for Border Affairs clarified that since the special meeting of the Joint Border Committee (JBC) in Chanthaburi on October 22, 2025, the joint surveying and temporary pillar installation work by the Joint Survey Teams (JSTs) of both sides, particularly in Chomreak village, Prey Chan village, and along the border section between pillars 52-59, has been completely halted and stalled. This is due to the Thai armed forces launching attacks and invading Cambodian sovereign territory in many areas along the border, continuing their illegal occupation to date, despite Cambodia sending numerous diplomatic protests. Furthermore, the representative of the Secretariat of State for Border Affairs affirmed that Cambodia continues to urge the Thai side to dispatch its Joint Survey Teams (JSTs) to the actual border areas to resume joint surveying and temporary pillar installation. Cambodia also strongly urges the convening of the Cambodia-Thailand JBC meeting and related technical meetings as soon as possible, in line with existing agreements as stipulated in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Joint Communiqué of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025, and the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the JBC dated October 22, 2025, in Chanthaburi. In accordance with these agreements, both parties have agreed to urgently and with the highest priority promote the JBC's surveying and demarcation work on the ground, to achieve lasting peace along the border and allow innocent Cambodian civilians to return to their homes safely, with dignity, and without hindrance. Cambodia firmly maintains its position in defending the Cambodia-Thailand international border line inherited from the Indochina-Siam Border Commission, respecting the principles of international law, the principle of immutable borders (Uti Possidetis Juris), the French-Siam Treaties, the Border Demarcation Protocols, maps resulting from the work of the Indochina-Siam Border Commission, meeting minutes, border pillar installation minutes, the 2000 MOU, the 2003 TOR, and other relevant agreements and documents previously agreed upon by both parties. In this regard, Cambodia absolutely does not recognize any alteration of the border line resulting from the use of force and illegal occupation through the creation of fait accompli on the ground. Cambodia will continue to officially protest to the Thai side any unilateral actions or violations by the Thai side of Cambodia's legitimate territorial integrity.