The Head of Mission of the ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH), Commodore Glenn Z Dizon of the Philippines, attends a briefing on the progress of the Cambodia-Thailand border demarcation and marker placement process on the afternoon of July 27.
– Organised by the Cambodia Liaison Group in Siem Reap province and hosted by the Ministry of National Defence, the session provided regional observers with a comprehensive overview of Cambodia’s diplomatic and legal stance.
– Secretariat of State for Border Affairs Head of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Survey Team Promsoeun Vattanak delivered the presentation, emphasising Phnom Penh’s unwavering commitment to resolving boundary matters through peaceful means, international law, bilateral mechanisms, and the mandate of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
– Addressing inquiries from AOT members concerning joint surveys and demarcation updates, Secretariat representatives clarified that fieldwork has remained suspended since the special JBC meeting in Chanthaburi on October 22, 2025.
– The suspension followed military incursions and unlawful occupations by Thai armed forces across multiple frontier sectors, including Chouk Chey village, Prey Chan village, and the terrain between border markers 52 and 59, despite numerous formal diplomatic protest notes lodged by Cambodia.
– Cambodia continues to urge Thailand to deploy its Joint Survey Team to resume joint field surveys and temporary marker installations. Phnom Penh also calls for the swift convening of technical meetings and JBC sessions, in strict adherence to the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee dated December 27, 2025.
– Restoring this cooperation remains vital for achieving lasting border peace and allowing displaced citizens to return home safely and with dignity.
– Reiterating its steadfast legal position, Cambodia underscored that its international boundary is legally anchored in the Franco-Siamese Boundary Commission protocols, the principle of uti possidetis juris, relevant Franco-Siam treaties, the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, and the 2003 Terms of Reference. The government maintained that it will never recognise any territorial alterations or faits accomplis resulting from the use of force, pledging to persistently counter unilateral actions that infringe upon national sovereignty.