Cambodia, Thailand continue joint survey for temporary border markers

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov.25,2025) — Cambodian and Thai survey teams are pressing ahead with efforts to install temporary boundary markers along a disputed stretch of their shared frontier, following commitments made at last month’s Joint Boundary Commission meeting.

Teams from both countries have been using drones to produce detailed photo maps of the area between Border Posts 42 and 47. The section runs through Prey Chan and Chouk Chey villages in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province and Klong Luek in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province.

Between Nov. 19 and 24, surveyors completed drone mapping of the 5.3-kilometer section between Posts 42 and 43, covering about three-quarters of the planned area. The aerial survey is expected to finish Nov. 26.

Installation of temporary markers between Posts 42 and 43 is scheduled to begin Nov. 27, starting at Post 42. Work will then continue along the remaining stretch to Post 47.

Cambodia’s General Secretariat of the Border Affairs Committee said Friday that both countries agreed to dispatch joint teams to conduct fieldwork along the disputed section.

The operation is part of a longer-term process toward full demarcation and follows earlier agreements, including a 2000 memorandum of understanding, 2003 terms of reference and subsequent technical instructions.

Cambodian and Thai technical teams have carried out joint surveys since 2006 to confirm the locations of 74 concrete posts installed by the Indochina-Siam Boundary Demarcation Commission in 1919–20.

Current efforts are guided by historical documents dating back to the French Protectorate era, including records of the 1908–09 boundary commission and the 1919–20 post installation.

Officials said the operation reflects the spirit of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission meeting held Oct. 21–22, which outlined steps to advance joint border demarcation.