ASEAN Observer Team to Patrol Cambodia Border for Three Months

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept. 11, 2025) — Cambodia will host the ASEAN Interim Observer Team (IOT) for a three-month deployment in Preah Vihear and Banteay Meanchey provinces, aimed at supporting the implementation of a ceasefire agreement with Thailand.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Gen. Tea Seiha received a courtesy call and held working discussions with Brig. Gen. Dato’ Pahlawan Asri bin Shukor, head of the IOT mission and director of training at the Royal Malaysian Army Headquarters. The delegation arrived in Cambodia on Sept. 10.

According to Brig. Gen. Zahani Zainal Abidin, commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces Joint Task Force, the IOT will conduct daily and weekly patrols in the two strategic provinces. The initial deployment is set for three months, but may be extended depending on conditions on the ground and further agreements with Cambodia.

The mission’s core objective is to produce neutral, credible reports, reflecting ASEAN’s commitment to supporting the peace process between Cambodia and Thailand.

The observer team’s arrival follows key diplomatic milestones, including the Special Meeting held on July 28 in Malaysia and the Extraordinary Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee Meeting convened on Aug. 7 in Kuala Lumpur, which led to the formal ceasefire agreement.