Cambodia Urges Swift Border Demarcation After AOT Visit

Terry Felix On June 23, 2026 - 8:03 am In Asia Pacific 2mn Read

PHNOM PENH, June 23, 2026 – Cambodia said an ASEAN observer mission visited a border village in Banteay Meanchey province on Tuesday to assess conditions in an area where it alleges Thai military activity has prevented displaced residents from returning home following last year’s border conflict.

In a statement, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence said the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), led by its Philippine head of mission, visited Prey Chan village in O’Bei Choan commune, O’Chrov district, to observe, verify and report on the border situation.

The ministry alleged that the area had been attacked by Thai forces and remained affected by the installation of barbed wire and the deployment of shipping containers, which it said had prevented many Cambodian families from returning to their homes. It said the observers also monitored compliance with measures agreed under the ceasefire that took effect following the Joint Statement issued after the third special meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on Dec. 27, 2025.

Cambodia reiterated that it does not recognise any change to the international border resulting from the use of force and called for the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to begin border demarcation work as soon as possible in accordance with existing bilateral agreements.

The defence ministry said the demarcation process was necessary to ensure displaced Cambodian civilians could return to their homes safely, peacefully and with dignity.

Cambodia also reaffirmed its support for the ASEAN Observer Team, calling for a stronger mandate to verify the full implementation of the ceasefire and other agreed measures between Cambodia and Thailand. The ministry said such efforts would help promote transparency, accountability and mutual trust, adding that Cambodia welcomed assistance from friendly countries willing to support the observer mission.

Thailand has previously disputed Cambodia’s account of several incidents along the disputed border.