Cambodia Welcomes Stronger ASEAN Role in Border Monitoring Mission
Cambodia Welcomes Stronger ASEAN Role in Border Monitoring Mission
BANTEAY MEANCHEY, May 8, 2026 — Cambodia reaffirmed its support for the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) monitoring the ceasefire along the Cambodia-Thailand border during a leadership handover ceremony on Friday, as the Philippines formally assumed command of the regional mission.
According to Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, the ceremony took place at Team Site 2 in Serei Saophoan city, where outgoing acting mission head Lieutenant Colonel Mohd Amin Bin Baharom transferred responsibilities to Commodore Glenn Z. Dizon of the Philippines.
The event was attended by Lieutenant General Phat Vibolsopheak, deputy director-general of Cambodia’s General Department of Policy and Foreign Affairs and head of the Cambodian Liaison Group.
During the ceremony, Commodore Dizon pledged to carry out the mission “actively and impartially” while continuing to observe, verify and report on developments along the Cambodian-Thai border.
Cambodia reiterated its full support for the ASEAN Observer Team, describing the mechanism as essential to ensuring the effective implementation of ceasefire arrangements and other agreements reached between Cambodia and Thailand.
The Cambodian government said strengthening the role and mandate of the observer mission would help promote transparency, accountability and mutual trust between both sides.
Officials also reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to implementing the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement signed between Cambodia and Thailand on Oct. 26, 2025, as well as the Joint Statement issued after the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on Dec. 27, 2025.
The ASEAN Observer Team was deployed following border tensions and armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand in disputed frontier areas last year. ASEAN member states agreed to support monitoring efforts aimed at preserving the ceasefire and reducing the risk of renewed confrontation.
The Philippines officially took over leadership of the observer mission from Malaysia earlier this month as part of ASEAN’s rotating coordination framework.
