Cambodia urges Thailand to honor border commission agreements

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Jan.06,2025) — Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its border with Thailand and called for renewed surveying and demarcation work following escalating tensions along the frontier.

Government spokesperson Pen Bona said at a Jan. 6 press briefing that Cambodia intends to continue marking the border in line with Point 3 of the Joint Statement from the General Border Committee meeting on Dec. 27. That provision states that agreements made under the statement will not affect existing demarcation or international boundaries.

Bona said next steps include facilitating the return of displaced civilians and 18 Cambodian soldiers who were previously detained, as well as accelerating surveying and demarcation through the Joint Border Commission.

Both sides have agreed to use the commission’s mechanisms to ensure the safety of survey teams, including protection from landmines, and to prioritize areas affecting civilian populations.

Cambodia submitted a proposal to Thailand on Dec. 28 requesting a special commission meeting in early January, but the session was postponed due to internal procedures in Bangkok. A second proposal was sent Jan. 5, requesting the meeting be held in Siem Reap province later this month.

The proposed agenda includes addressing alleged Thai military actions such as land appropriation, construction, destruction of civilian property and preventing citizens from returning home.

It also calls for continued surveying and temporary demarcation in Banteay Meanchey and Battambang provinces, surveying additional sections in Pursat province, and deploying mixed survey teams along waterways and straight-line sections in accordance with the minutes of the sixth commission meeting in June.

Bona said Cambodia respects international law and prior agreements, including the Franco-Siamese treaties and records of the Indo-Chinese-Siamese Border Commission, and does not recognize any border changes achieved through force.

“Cambodia demands that Thailand respect the mandate of the Joint Border Commission in determining border demarcation based on existing agreements and international law to establish lasting peace along the border,” he said.