Unofficial Translation
Press Release
The Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to inform the public, as well as national and international media outlets, as follows:
On Monday, July 27, 2026, the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) of the Kingdom of Cambodia facilitated the participation of the ASEAN Observer Team–Cambodia (AOT-KH), led by Commodore GLENN Z. DIZON, Head of Mission of the Philippine-led ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia, in a briefing delivered by Mr. Promsoeun Wattanak, Head of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Survey Team of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs, on the "Progress of the demarcation and emplacement of the boundary pillars between Cambodia and Thailand" which was facilitated by the Coordination Liaison Group (CLG) of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Siem Reap province.
The presentation delivered to the ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH) was organized with the objective of demonstrating the steadfast position of the Royal Government of Cambodia, which consistently adheres to resolving border issues through peaceful means in accordance with international law. This includes existing bilateral mechanisms, compliance with valid conventions, treaties, and bilateral agreements, as well as the mandate of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC).
During the session, in response to numerous inquiries from the AOT-KH regarding the progress of the survey and demarcation works on the ground, the representative from the Secretariat of Border Affairs clarified that following the special meeting of the JBC in Chanthaburi on 22 October 2025, the implementation of the joint survey work and the emplacement of temporary markers by the Joint Survey Teams (JSTs) of both parties—specifically at Chouk Chey Village, Prey Chan Village, and in the boundary segments between boundary pillars from 52 to 59—was completely disrupted and stalled. This occurred because the Thai armed forces launched attacks and aggressive violations against Cambodia's sovereignty in several areas along the border, continuing their illegal occupation and annexation up to the present day, despite Cambodia having submitted numerous formal diplomatic notes of protest.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Secretariat of Border Affairs also reiterated that Cambodia continues to urge the Thai side to dispatch the Joint Survey Teams (JSTs) to the terrain to resume the joint survey works and the emplacement of temporary markers, while also calling for the prompt convening of the Cambodia-Thailand JBC meeting and related technical meetings at the earliest. This is in accordance with existing agreements stipulated in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) dated 27 December 2025, and the Agreed Minutes of the Special Meeting of the JBC dated 22 October 2025 in Chanthaburi. Pursuant to these agreements, both parties previously agreed to further expedite the survey and demarcation work on the ground carried out by the JBC as a matter of high priority and urgency, in order to achieve long-term peace along the border and to allow innocent Cambodian civilian citizens to return to their homes safely, with dignity, and without obstruction.
Cambodia maintains an unyielding and firm position in safeguarding the international boundary line between Cambodia and Thailand, inherited from the Commission of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, in full and strict respect of international law principles, the principle of the inviolability of frontier (Uti Possidetis Juris), the Frenco-Siamese Conventions and Treaties, the Protocol concerning the delimitation of the boundary, Maps which are the result of the demarcation works of the Commissions of Delimitation of the boundary between Indo-China and Siam, the Procès-Verbaux of the meeting and Procès-Verbaux of Abornement of the Commissions between Indo-China and Siam, the MOU 2000, the TOR 2003, as well as relevant agreements and documents previously agreed upon by both parties. In this regard, Cambodia categorically rejects any alteration of the international boundary line resulting from the use of force and the illegal occupation and annexation through the creation of a fait accompli on the ground. Cambodia will continue to lodge formal protests with the Thai side against any unilateral actions and violations committed by Thailand against Cambodia's legitimate territorial integrity.
The public, national, and international media are hereby informed accordingly.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026