Cambodia Urges ASEAN Observers to Resume Stalled Border Demarcation with Thailand

Cambodia has informed an ASEAN observer mission that joint border demarcation work with Thailand has been suspended due to what it described as Thai military actions along disputed frontier areas, urging a swift resumption. Officials made the remarks during a briefing for the Philippine-led ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH), headed by Commodore Glenn Z. Dizon, in Siem Reap on Monday, according to the Ministry of National Defence. Promsoeun Wattanak, head of Cambodia’s Joint Survey Team at the State Secretariat of Border Affairs, outlined progress and setbacks in demarcation efforts. He said joint survey work and the placement of temporary boundary markers had been disrupted following a special meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) in Chanthaburi in October 2025. Cambodia alleged the process stalled because Thai armed forces launched attacks and violated its sovereignty in several areas, while continuing what it called the illegal occupation of Cambodian territory. Officials said numerous diplomatic protests had been lodged with Bangkok. They urged Thailand to send its survey team back to the border and convene the next JBC and related technical meetings without delay. The ministry said the appeal was consistent with previous agreements calling for accelerated demarcation to promote long-term peace and allow displaced civilians to return home. Cambodia reiterated to the observer team that it remains committed to resolving border issues peacefully, in line with international law, bilateral agreements and historical treaties. It rejected any attempt to alter the recognised boundary through force or unilateral action, vowing to continue diplomatic protests against what it considers violations of its territorial integrity.