Cambodia welcomes Singapore officers to ASEAN border observer mission

Phnom Penh, Jan 16, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia has welcomed two Singaporean military officers who joined an ASEAN observer mission tasked with monitoring the border situation with Thailand following a recent ceasefire, the Ministry of National Defence said Friday.

The officers, Major Li Yiming and First Warrant Officer Toh Wee Chiang, arrived at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport on January 16 to serve with the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), which is led by Malaysia and mandated to observe, verify and report on conditions along the frontier.

Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the ministry, said Cambodia continues to provide full support to the mission and has called for a stronger role and mandate to ensure that the ceasefire and agreed measures between Cambodia and Thailand are implemented “fully and effectively.”

She added that the participation of ASEAN member states was intended to promote transparency, accountability and mutual trust between the two countries.

The Cambodian government reaffirmed its commitment to respecting agreements reached with Thailand, including the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee on December 27, 2025, and the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025.

Tensions flared in late 2025 after clashes along disputed sections of the border displaced thousands of civilians and damaged infrastructure. A ceasefire was agreed at the December 27 meeting, halting hostilities and paving the way for dialogue.

ASEAN played a mediating role in the process, with Malaysia appointed to lead the observer team. Cambodia has repeatedly voiced support for an expanded role for the mission to strengthen transparency and confidence-building.

Authorities say most displaced civilians have since returned home, while border talks continue through bilateral mechanisms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability.