(Phnom Penh): The ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH) on Saturday (Aug. 22) visited Banteay Meanchey Province to conduct observation, verification, and reporting on the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

According to Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokeswoman for the Ministry of National Defence, the field visit was coordinated by the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) and led by the AOT-KH Head of Mission from the Philippines.

The delegation began their mission at 08:32 a.m. to inspect the illegal deployment of shipping containers by the Thai military across five locations, totaling 62 containers, in Chok Chey Village, O'Bei Choan Commune, O'Chrov District.

The ministry emphasized that this illegal deployment has prevented 3,951 Cambodian civilians, equivalent to 1,045 families, including 1,155 children, from returning to their homes.

The spokesperson further noted that the AOT's verification and visit to these displaced civilians underscore the absolute necessity for the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to launch border demarcation work as soon as possible.

The Ministry of National Defence reaffirmed Cambodia's firm stance on protecting the Cambodia-Thailand international border as established by the Indochina-Siam Boundary Commission. This includes respecting international law, such as the principle of the intangibility of inherited borders (Uti Possidetis Juris), as well as adhering to the Franco-Siamese conventions, treaties, maps, and relevant historical documents.

Cambodia reiterated its commitment to existing agreements, specifically point four of the Joint Statement from the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on 27 December 2025, to ensure citizens can safely, peacefully, and with dignity return to their homes without obstruction, while firmly declaring that it absolutely does not recognize any border alterations resulting from the use of force.
=FRESH NEWS