Survey work between border markers 42–47 and 52–59 was carried out by a Cambodian–Thai joint survey team in November 2025. - Photo: Supplied
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has urged Thailand to respond and move forward on long-delayed border demarcation work, warning it will not recognise any alteration of the boundary line resulting from the use of force, while lodging a strong protest over actions by the Thai military that continue to affect Cambodian civilians.
In a statement on Saturday (Jan 31), the State Secretariat of Border Affairs said the Thai side has yet to officially respond to Cambodia’s note verbale dated Jan 13, which requested the resumption of joint survey and demarcation activities along disputed boundary segments.
“Those include areas between Boundary Pillars 42–47 and 52–59, as well as the replacement of 15 boundary markers previously agreed by both sides to be restored to their original locations and specifications,” it said.
The secretariat noted that the lack of response comes despite prior agreements reached during a special meeting of the Cambodian–Thai Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) held on Oct 22, 2025, in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province, the minutes of which were approved by both governments.
In an apparent move to increase diplomatic pressure, the JBC on the Cambodian side sent another formal note verbale to its Thai counterpart on Jan 29, proposing concrete timelines.
“Cambodia requested that Joint Survey Teams from both countries be dispatched to the field on any suitable date between Feb 9 and 13, 2026, to resume the emplacement of temporary markers on the ground,” said the secretariat.
It also proposed convening the 12th meeting of the Cambodian–Thai Operational Group and the 5th meeting of the Joint Technical Sub-Commission during the second week of February.
“These technical mechanisms are conducted in accordance with the agreed minutes of previous JBC meetings,” the statement said, underscoring that the proposed activities fall squarely within existing bilateral frameworks.
Cambodia also raised serious objections to the activities of Thai military units in the area.
The JBC on the Cambodian side “strongly protests” against the clearing and destruction of homes and property belonging to Cambodian citizens, as well as restrictions preventing them from returning, according to the statement.
“The JBC (Cambodian side) also protests against all activities that lead to changes in the environment of the border area, which are completely contrary to Article 5 of the 2000 MoU and paragraph 2, paragraph 3 and paragraph 4 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC) dated 27 Dec 2025, especially in violation of the mandate of the JBC,” it said.
The secretariat said these actions violate the mandate of the JBC, which is responsible for technical demarcation work.
The statement rejected Thailand’s past assertion that demarcation and abonnement work cannot proceed until all demining along the border is completed under the Joint Coordination Task Force mechanism.
Cambodia clarified that previous demining for survey and demarcation purposes was carried out by the “Booby Trap Clearance Officers” under the JBC mechanism, as stipulated in the 2000 MoU and the 2003 terms of reference.
Reaffirming its legal position, secretariat said Cambodia firmly upholds the international boundary as inherited from the historical delimitation commissions between Indochina and Siam.
It cited international law, the principle of uti possidetis juris, Franco-Siamese conventions and treaties, official maps, procès-verbaux and all relevant bilateral agreements as the basis for its stance.
“The JBC (Cambodian side) will continue to conduct land surveying and boundary demarcation works with the JBC (Thai side) at the earliest, with a view to achieving lasting peace along the border,” the statement said.
It stated that Cambodia “will not recognise any alteration of the boundary line resulting from the use of force.” - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
