AOT-KH Inspects Thai Military’s Unilateral Border Fence Construction in Battambang

Terry Felix On July 6, 2026 - 11:18 pm In Asia Pacific 2mn Read

BATTAMBANG, 7 July 2026 — An ASEAN observer team inspected sections of the Cambodia-Thailand border in Battambang province on Monday after Cambodia raised concerns over the Thai military’s alleged unilateral construction of a border fence, damage to temporary boundary markers and the occupation of Cambodian territory for agricultural activities.

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence said the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) facilitated the observation mission for the ASEAN Observer Team-Cambodia (AOT-KH) at 12.15pm on 6 July. The mission, led by the Philippine head of AOT-KH, visited areas between Border Pillars No. 52 and No. 59 in Kamrieng district.

During the mission, the ASEAN observers inspected the situation near Border Pillars No. 52 to No. 54, where Cambodia said the Thai military had unilaterally constructed a border fence.

According to the ministry, the observers witnessed damage to temporary boundary markers allegedly caused by the construction activities.

The ASEAN team was also briefed on technical details concerning previous joint surveys and temporary demarcation work conducted by survey teams from Cambodia and Thailand.

Following the briefing, the observers inspected areas between Border Pillars No. 52 and No. 59 where, according to the Cambodian Defence Ministry, Thai citizens have occupied Cambodian territory for agricultural activities.

Cambodia said it had formally protested the activities through diplomatic notes, arguing that they violated existing bilateral procedures governing border issues under the jurisdiction of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

The Cambodian government has called for the JBC to be convened promptly to address the outstanding issues through established bilateral mechanisms.

The Defence Ministry said the observation mission was intended to provide the ASEAN team with a factual and comprehensive understanding of conditions on the ground through direct observation and supporting technical information.

Cambodia also reaffirmed its position that all border-related disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and in accordance with international law, existing bilateral treaties and agreements, and mechanisms established under the JBC framework.