AOT Inspects Cambodia–Thailand Border Situation at O’Smach

Terry Felix On May 23, 2026 - 9:07 am In Asia Pacific 2mn Read

PHNOM PENH, May 23, 2026 — Cambodia said it facilitated a new mission by the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) to monitor the situation along the Cambodia–Thailand border, as Phnom Penh reiterated its commitment to maintaining ceasefire agreements and regional stability.

In a press release issued on Saturday, Defence Ministry spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said the Cambodian Liaison Group coordinated the observer mission at the O’Smach International Border Checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey province earlier in the day.

According to the statement, the ASEAN Observer Team, led by its Head of Mission, was tasked with observing, verifying and reporting on the border situation, as well as reviewing compliance with stabilisation measures outlined in the joint ceasefire statement agreed between Cambodia and Thailand.

Cambodia said it continued to provide full support to the ASEAN monitoring mechanism and stressed the importance of strengthening the role and mandate of the observer team to ensure effective implementation of ceasefire arrangements and related agreements.

The statement said Cambodia welcomed the involvement of “friendly nations” in the monitoring process as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and mutual trust between the two neighbouring countries.

The Cambodian government and Ministry of National Defence also reaffirmed what they described as their “firm, sincere and unwavering commitment” to implementing the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee signed on December 27, 2025, as well as the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement reached on October 26, 2025.

Phnom Penh said the agreements were aimed at restoring normalcy, peace, security and stability for communities living along the border areas of both countries.

The latest ASEAN observer mission comes amid continued diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions following armed clashes and border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand in 2025. Both sides have increasingly relied on bilateral mechanisms and regional engagement to maintain the ceasefire and prevent renewed violence along contested frontier areas.