Cambodia reaffirms commitment to peaceful border resolution with Thailand

PHNOM PENH, Jan 31, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia on Saturday reiterated its commitment to safeguarding its frontier with Thailand and urged continued ASEAN support for a peaceful settlement of lingering border disputes.

Government spokesman Pen Bona told reporters that Phnom Penh respects international law, the principle of uti possidetis juris, the Franco-Siamese conventions, and all relevant agreements and maps, stressing that Cambodia will not recognise any boundary changes imposed by force.

At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Cebu, Philippines, on January 29, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn briefed colleagues on recent developments along the border.

He outlined follow-up actions from the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on December 27, which established a second ceasefire.

Prak Sokhonn expressed gratitude to Malaysia, ASEAN’s 2025 chair, for facilitating the truce, and thanked member states for their support and contributions to the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT).

He said the GBC had agreed on de-escalation measures and concrete steps toward a peaceful resolution in line with international law and existing treaties. Both Cambodia and Thailand reaffirmed that these arrangements would not affect the international boundary or demarcation.

Despite progress, Prak Sokhonn noted violations of the Joint Statement, particularly concerning sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said 9,635 Cambodians from 2,448 families remain displaced due to safety risks or destruction of property, with thousands of children unable to attend school.

The foreign minister underscored Cambodia’s commitment to ending hostilities and restoring calm, urging ASEAN colleagues to support a settlement based on international law and the principle of non-use of force.

He warned that rising global challenges to governance and law risk normalising the idea that “might makes right,” stressing that ASEAN must safeguard the region’s hard-earned peace.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, speaking as ASEAN Chair, pledged to continue facilitating the implementation of the Joint Statement and announced that Manila would assume the chairmanship of the ASEAN Observer Team from Malaysia.