Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Stalling JBC Border Demarcation Process
Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Stalling JBC Border Demarcation Process
PHNOM PENH, June 16, 2026 — Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs has disclosed that Thailand repeatedly postponed efforts to resume joint border survey and demarcation work despite earlier bilateral agreements calling for the process to move forward as a priority.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Secretariat said the Cambodian side of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) had previously sent several diplomatic notes proposing a special JBC meeting and the deployment of Joint Survey Teams (JSTs) to resume field operations. According to the statement, Thai authorities requested postponements on multiple occasions, citing reasons including domestic procedures, a general election, the appointment of a new prime minister, the formation of a new cabinet and the approval of a new Thai JBC leadership.
The Cambodian side noted that although Thailand has since appointed a new prime minister and formed a new government, Bangkok has yet to officially appoint the new chairperson and members of its JBC or dispatch the Joint Survey Teams to resume operations on the ground.
The statement argued that such delays run contrary to the agreed minutes of the Cambodian-Thai JBC special meeting held on 22 October 2025 and the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on 27 December 2025, particularly provisions prioritizing the resumption of survey and demarcation work in affected border areas.
Cambodia also alleged that while the survey process remains stalled, Thai forces continue to occupy Cambodian territory and carry out activities aimed at creating what it described as “new situations on the ground” or fait accompli, despite repeated diplomatic protests from Phnom Penh.
The State Secretariat reaffirmed that, under previously agreed procedures and working protocols, Thailand should dispatch the Joint Survey Teams as soon as possible to resume joint surveys, install temporary markers and complete remaining technical tasks. Cambodia also called for the continuation of technical-level meetings under existing bilateral mechanisms.
According to the statement, the Cambodian JBC sent another diplomatic note to its Thai counterpart on June 15, once again requesting the immediate deployment of the Joint Survey Teams.
The Secretariat further reiterated Cambodia’s opposition to what it described as the illegal occupation of Cambodian territory and any actions that could alter the boundary line through the use of force.
“Cambodia strongly rejects any alteration of the boundary line resulting from the use of force, whether in the past, present or future,” the statement said.
The latest statement comes amid ongoing tensions along sections of the Cambodia-Thailand border and follows repeated calls from Cambodian leaders for both sides to resolve outstanding border issues through existing bilateral mechanisms and international law.
