AOT Inspects Border Area as Cambodia Presses for JBC Action
AOT Inspects Border Area as Cambodia Presses for JBC Action
BANTEAY MEANCHEY, June 16, 2026 — An ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) visited displaced Cambodian civilians near the Cambodia–Thailand border on Tuesday, as Phnom Penh renewed calls for the urgent resumption of border demarcation work and reaffirmed its rejection of any territorial changes resulting from the use of force.
According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defence, the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) coordinated a field visit for the ASEAN Observer Team, led by its Head of Mission from the Philippines, to Rong Jam village in Slor Kram commune, Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province.
The delegation observed and verified the situation of Cambodian civilians who remain unable to return to their homes due to what Cambodia described as the continued illegal occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai military forces in certain areas.
Cambodian authorities stated that the affected areas include the deployment of barbed wire, shipping containers and the destruction of civilian homes, preventing displaced residents from safely returning.
The Ministry said the ASEAN team’s visit highlighted the urgent need for the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Border Commission (JBC) to resume border survey and demarcation activities in accordance with previously agreed mechanisms.
Phnom Penh pointed specifically to Point 3 of the Joint Statement adopted during the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025, which prioritised border demarcation efforts to facilitate the safe, peaceful and dignified return of civilians to their homes.
Cambodia reiterated its commitment to protecting the internationally recognized Cambodia–Thailand border based on the work of the historic Indochina–Siam Boundary Commission and in accordance with international law, including the principle of uti possidetis juris.
The statement also reaffirmed Cambodia’s adherence to the Franco–Siamese treaties and conventions, official maps, boundary commission records and other bilateral agreements previously accepted by both countries.
The Ministry stressed that Cambodia does not recognize any alteration of the border resulting from the use of force and called for all outstanding boundary issues to be addressed through agreed legal and diplomatic mechanisms.
The ASEAN Observer Team’s visit comes amid ongoing tensions along sections of the Cambodia–Thailand border and follows repeated Cambodian appeals for the resumption of Joint Border Commission activities to resolve outstanding demarcation issues and facilitate the return of displaced residents.
