Cambodia Briefs ASEAN Observer Team on Border Demarcation Progress

Phnom Penh, July 28, 2026 — The Head of Mission of the ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH), Commodore Glenn Z. Dizon of the Philippines, on the afternoon of July 27 attended a briefing on the progress of the Cambodia-Thailand border demarcation and marker placement process. According to the Spokeswoman of Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, the briefing was delivered by Mr. Promsoeun Vattanak, Head of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Survey Team under the Secretariat of State for Border Affairs, and was organised by the Cambodia Liaison Group (CLG) in Siem Reap province. The presentation aimed to explain Cambodia’s consistent position of resolving border issues through peaceful means in accordance with international law, existing bilateral mechanisms, relevant conventions, treaties and agreements, as well as the mandate of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). Responding to questions from AOT members regarding the progress of joint surveys and border demarcation, representatives of the Secretariat of State for Border Affairs explained that implementation of joint surveying and temporary border marker installation by the Joint Survey Teams (JSTs), including in Chouk Chey village, Prey Chan village, and along the section between border markers 52 and 59, has remained suspended since the special JBC meeting in Chanthaburi on Oct. 22, 2025. They said the work was halted after Thai armed forces launched attacks and encroached upon multiple areas along the Cambodia-Thailand border, continuing unlawful occupation despite numerous diplomatic protest notes submitted by the Cambodian side. The representatives reaffirmed that Cambodia continues to urge Thailand to dispatch its Joint Survey Team to resume field surveys and temporary border marker installation, while also calling for the early convening of JBC and related technical meetings in accordance with Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) dated Dec. 27, 2025, and the minutes of the Special JBC Meeting held in Chanthaburi on Oct. 22, 2025. Under those agreements, both sides committed to prioritising the resumption of joint border survey and demarcation work to achieve lasting peace along the border and enable displaced Cambodian civilians to return home safely, freely, and with dignity. Cambodia reiterated its firm position on safeguarding the Cambodia-Thailand international boundary established by the Franco-Siamese Boundary Commission, based on international law, the principle of uti possidetis juris, the Franco-Siam treaties, border delimitation protocols, official maps, the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, the 2003 Terms of Reference, and other bilateral agreements. Cambodia also reaffirmed that it will never recognise any alteration of the international boundary resulting from the use of force or unlawful territorial occupation through the creation of a fait accompli, and will continue to lodge formal protests against any unilateral actions that violate Cambodia’s territorial integrity. By C. Nika