Cambodia says Thailand yet to respond on border talks and survey work

PHNOM PENH, Feb 2, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia said Sunday that Thailand has yet to officially respond to requests to resume joint border survey work or confirm the date of a special meeting of the Cambodian-Thai Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

In a statement, the State Secretariat of Border Affairs said Bangkok had not replied to a diplomatic note sent on January 13 seeking agreement to deploy joint survey teams along disputed frontier sections.

The proposed work covers boundary segments between pillars 42–47 and 52–59, as well as the replacement of 15 pillars previously agreed during a JBC meeting in Chanthaburi, Thailand, in October 2025.

Cambodia said it has since sent a further note verbale dated January 29, again requesting survey teams be dispatched between February 9 and 13.

It also proposed convening meetings of the Cambodian-Thai Operational Group and the Joint Technical Sub-Commission in the second week of February.

The statement accused Thai military forces of clearing and destroying homes belonging to Cambodian citizens in the border area and preventing residents from returning, saying such actions violated a 2000 memorandum of understanding and a joint statement issued by the General Border Committee in December 2025.

Phnom Penh also rejected what it called an incorrect Thai claim that demarcation could not proceed until demining was completed under a separate military mechanism, insisting previous demining for survey work had been conducted under the JBC framework.

Reaffirming its stance, Cambodia said it would not recognise any boundary changes resulting from the use of force and pledged to resolve issues in line with international law and existing treaties.

The government urged the public to trust its handling of the matter, saying it remained committed to safeguarding sovereignty and ensuring lasting peace along the border.