ASEAN Observer Team Inspects Cambodia-Thailand Border Sites Amid Tensions

An ASEAN Observer Team led by the Philippine head of mission has inspected two sites along the Cambodia–Thailand frontier as part of efforts to monitor implementation of a ceasefire between the two neighbours, Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said Tuesday. The Cambodian Liaison Group coordinated the visits on September 1. At 08:37 local time, the team visited Boundary Pillar No. 72 in Cham Yeam village, Mondol Seima district, Koh Kong province. Officials said the mission aimed to give observers a direct assessment of conditions at agreed boundary pillars and to demonstrate Cambodia’s commitment to resolving disputes peacefully through dialogue and bilateral mechanisms. The ministry reaffirmed recognition of the Joint Boundary Commission and said Cambodia remained committed to safeguarding what it described as the international boundary line inherited from the historical delimitation process between French Indochina and Siam. It cited treaties, maps, boundary records and bilateral agreements, including the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding and the 2003 Terms of Reference. Later in the morning, at 09:35, the observers inspected the Cham Yeam International Border Checkpoint, also in Koh Kong. The ministry said the second visit was intended to observe, verify and report on the situation following the entry into force of the ceasefire, while promoting transparency, building mutual confidence and supporting normalization of relations. Cambodia’s government and Defence Ministry reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreements reached with Thailand, including the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the General Border Committee in December 2025 and the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement signed in October 2025. Cambodia would continue to support and strengthen the role of the ASEAN Observer Team in monitoring the truce.