Government: ceasefire agreement cannot change international boundary

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 13, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has insisted that its December 2025 ceasefire agreement with Thailand does not affect the ongoing process of demarcating the land boundary between the two countries, a government spokesman said Friday.

Pen Bona, spokesman for the Royal Government, told reporters that Point 3 of the joint statement issued on December 27 makes clear that ceasefire arrangements must not alter the international border.

He said both sides agreed to assign the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Border Commission (JBC) to continue survey and demarcation work “as quickly as possible” in line with existing agreements, in order to promote lasting peace in border areas.

Bona said Cambodia has repeatedly sent diplomatic notes urging implementation, including a February 24 proposal to deploy joint survey teams to install temporary markers in Banteay Meanchey and

Battambang provinces, rebuild 15 border posts based on French-era models, and conduct surveys in several contested areas such as Boeng Trakuon, Thma Da checkpoint, O’Phluk Damrei and Chor 1 in Pursat province.

He stressed that Cambodia’s position remains that the Indochina–Siam boundary commission, Franco–Siam treaties and historical records define the international border under international law, including the principle of uti possidetis juris.

“Cambodia does not recognise any alteration of the border resulting from the use of force,” Bona said, adding that the country remains committed to peaceful negotiations and cooperation with Thailand.

The spokesman noted that the work is being carried out in accordance with agreements reached during the sixth meeting of the JBC in June 2025, and Cambodia has proposed holding several technical meetings this month to accelerate progress.