Cambodia, Thailand Agree to Replace Boundary Pillars, Advance Border Survey

(CHANTHABURI, Thailand)— Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to replace and restore several boundary pillars and accelerate border demarcation efforts, according to a joint statement issued following the Special Meeting of the Cambodian-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC), held Oct. 21–22 in Chanthaburi.

The Cambodian delegation was led by Lam Chea, minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs and co-chair of the Cambodian-Thai JBC. The Thai delegation was headed by Prasas Prasasvinitchai, an adviser to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and co-chair of the Thai-Cambodian JBC.

The meeting was conducted “in an atmosphere of friendship and cordiality,” the statement said.

Both sides agreed to task the Joint Technical Sub-Commission (JTSC) with replacing 15 boundary pillars at their original locations and specifications. Additionally, three submerged pillars will be replaced at positions to be jointly determined.

The two countries also committed to revising the 2003 Terms of Reference for orthophoto map production, incorporating advanced technologies such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to expedite survey and demarcation work.

In the segment covering Boundary Pillars No. 42 to 47 — spanning the Chouk Chey–Nong Chan and Prey Chan–Nong Ya Kaeo village areas — both sides agreed to finalize technical instructions for joint survey and emplacement of temporary markers in priority terrain.

Following completion of the survey and marker emplacement, and pending government approvals, Cambodia and Thailand will consult on mechanisms for adjusting land occupation. The temporary markers are for survey purposes only and do not affect the official international boundary.

Local civilian and military authorities have been instructed to ensure the safety of the joint survey team, avoid obstructing its work, and refrain from any provocative acts that could escalate tensions. Survey operations must also comply with landmine safety protocols under Article 3 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding.

The next JBC meeting is scheduled for the first week of January 2026 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.