Defence Ministry Reaffirms Border Position During ASEAN Observer Visit

PHNOM PENH, June 25, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence has reaffirmed its position on the country’s frontier during a visit by an ASEAN observer mission to displaced communities in Oddar Meanchey province, officials said Thursday.

The Cambodian Liaison Group coordinated the inspection at Pong Ro commune in Chong Kal district, where the ASEAN Observer Team, led by its Philippine head of mission, met families unable to return home.

The ministry said 490 families — nearly 2,000 people — remain displaced due to foreign military presence, including barbed wire, shipping containers and destroyed houses. Thailand has previously rejected similar allegations.

The ministry said the visit underscored the urgent need to accelerate border demarcation through the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission, in line with commitments under the General Border Committee framework.

They cited the joint statement of the third special GBC meeting in December 2025, which called for measures to ensure civilians could return safely, peacefully and with dignity.

Reaffirming its stance, the ministry said Cambodia remains committed to protecting its internationally recognised border, based on Franco–Siamese treaties, maps and the principle of uti possidetis juris under international law.

It stressed that Cambodia does not recognise any border changes imposed by force and will continue to pursue resolution through legal and diplomatic channels.

The statement was issued to inform national and international media of developments during the observer mission’s visit, which officials said highlighted Cambodia’s determination to safeguard peace, stability and security for border communities.