Cambodia Tells AOT Border Demarcation Stalled Due to Thai Aggression

Cambodia has informed the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) that its border demarcation and temporary post installation work has been completely stalled due to attacks and illegal occupation by Thai armed forces. This was revealed by the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense on July 28, during a presentation titled "Progress of Cambodia-Thailand Border Demarcation Work" held on July 27. According to the Ministry of National Defense, the presentation was made to demonstrate Cambodia's consistent stance of resolving border issues with Thailand peacefully and in accordance with international law. Cambodia intends to proceed with problem-solving based on existing bilateral mechanisms, treaties, agreements, and the mandate of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Commission on Land Border Demarcation (JBC). Mr. Prom Seun Vathana, Chairman of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Survey Team, stated that Cambodia continues to urge Thailand to send joint survey teams (JSTs) to the actual ground to continue the work of surveying and installing temporary posts. He also called for the earliest possible convening of the JBC Cambodia-Thailand Joint Commission and related technical meetings, in accordance with existing agreements. These agreements stipulate that Cambodia and Thailand must urgently and with the highest priority push forward the surveying and border demarcation work on the actual ground, to ensure long-term peace along the border, allowing innocent Cambodian civilians to return to their homes without hindrance, safely, and with dignity. The Cambodian government reiterated its firm stance to defend the Cambodia-Thailand international border line left by the Indochina-Siam Border Commission, respecting international law, the principle of Uti Possidetis Juris, the French-Siam Treaty, the Border Determination Protocol, maps produced by the Indochina-Siam Border Commission, meeting minutes, and the Indochina-Siam Border Commission's border post installation minutes, the 2000 MOU, the 2003 TOR, as well as other related agreements and documents that have been agreed upon. 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 a fait accompli on the actual site, and will continue to lodge official protests with the Thai side regarding all unilateral actions and violations of Cambodia's legal territorial integrity. For reference, during a special meeting of the JBC on October 22, 2025, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to send joint survey teams to carry out surveying and temporary post installation work on the ground between border posts 42-47 in the areas of Prey Chan village and Chok Choei village. Following the agreement, the joint team commenced work on the ground. By the end of November, the joint team had created photomaps using aerial photography from drones. As of December 3, the joint team had installed 39 temporary posts out of a total of 277 planned temporary posts. The surveying and temporary post installation work has been stalled and interrupted since December 7, 2025, because the Thai military launched a large-scale, premeditated attack on Cambodian sovereign territory for 21 days. In the ceasefire agreement, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to allow the survey teams to continue their work, permitting Cambodian refugees to return to their homes. However, contrary to the agreement, the Thai side has destroyed civilian homes, laid barbed wire, and placed shipping containers, encroaching deep into Cambodian territory and obstructing the survey work. Since the agreement on December 27, 2025, Cambodia has sent diplomatic notes and invited the Thai side to send joint survey teams to resume border demarcation work and attend JBC meetings. However, the Thai side has repeatedly made excuses, created fait accomplis on the ground, and continued the illegal occupation of Cambodian territory. Recently, a senior official from the Secretariat of State for Border Affairs stated that the Thai army is attempting to draw up another new map, incorporating many invaded areas seized from Cambodia into its own territory. The expert official clarified that the unilateral creation of a new map by the Thai side has no legal value or force. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local