Cambodia Says Only Joint Boundary Commission Can Define Border
Cambodia Says Only Joint Boundary Commission Can Define Border
PHNOM PENH, May 17, 2026 — Cambodia on Sunday reaffirmed that all border demarcation work with Thailand must be handled exclusively through the bilateral Joint Boundary Commission, as an ASEAN Observer Team visited a sensitive border area in northwestern Cambodia.
In a statement, Cambodian Defence Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said Cambodia’s Liaison Group coordinated the mission with the ASEAN Observer Team, led by the Philippines as Head of Mission.
The delegation visited Seila Khmer village in O Bei Chon commune, O Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey Province, where Cambodian authorities said local residents had continuously occupied and cultivated the area since a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand took effect on Dec. 27, 2025.
According to the statement, the mission aimed to observe and verify the border situation and assess implementation of stabilisation measures agreed under post-ceasefire arrangements.
Cambodia reiterated that only the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission and its Joint Survey Teams have the authority to conduct border survey and demarcation work on the ground.
The statement stressed that military forces and local authorities from either country have no mandate to determine or alter the international boundary line.
Phnom Penh also rejected what it described as any attempt to alter the border through the use of force, citing the Franco–Siamese treaties, bilateral agreements including the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding and 2003 Terms of Reference, as well as historical boundary maps and records.
Cambodia urged Thailand to dispatch Joint Survey Teams to resume technical border work and convene a Joint Boundary Commission meeting “at the earliest.”
The Cambodian government also reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the December 2025 General Border Committee Joint Statement, the October 2025 Cambodia-Thailand peace declaration and related agreements aimed at restoring long-term stability along the border.
Thailand had not immediately commented publicly on the latest Cambodian statement.
