ASEAN Observers Inspect Cambodia-Thailand Border Area, Raise Concerns Over Thai Cross-Border Activities

The ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) conducted a field inspection along a section of the Cambodia–Thailand border in Battambang province on Monday to observe and verify conditions on the ground, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence. In a press release, the ministry’s spokesperson said the visit was coordinated by Cambodia’s Coordinating Liaison Group (CLG) after prior notification was given to the Thai side and with the participation of relevant local authorities. Led by the Philippine Head of Mission of the AOT, the observers inspected the area between Boundary Pillars 52 and 59 in Kamrieng district. During the visit, the team examined the site of a border fence that had been unilaterally constructed by Thai military forces near Boundary Pillars 52–54. The observers also witnessed damage to temporary boundary markers, which resulted from the unilateral activities. The AOT further received technical briefings on the joint surveying and temporary boundary marker placement previously carried out by the joint survey teams of both countries. The observers also visited an area between Boundary Pillars 52 and 59 where Thai nationals had cultivated farmland inside Cambodian territory. Cambodia noted that it had formally protested the activities through diplomatic channels, arguing that they affect the existing bilateral boundary demarcation process under the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). Cambodia has called for an early convening of the JBC to address the issue. According to the Ministry of National Defence, the inspection was intended to provide ASEAN observers with a first-hand understanding of the situation on the ground while reaffirming Cambodia’s commitment to resolving border issues peacefully through dialogue and bilateral mechanisms, in accordance with international law, existing bilateral agreements, and the mandate of the Joint Boundary Commission. By C. Nika