Phnom Penh ;On Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 08:25a.m, the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) coordinated a field visit for the ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH), led by the Head of Mission (AOT KH HOM) from the Philippines to observe, verify, and report on the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, as well as inspected the illegal deployment of shipping containers by the Thai military across 14 locations, totaling 44 containers, in in the area of the Boeung Trakoun Border Checkpoint area, Kouk Romiet Commune, Tmor Pouk District, Banteay Meanchey Province, which has prevented 7,873 Cambodian civilians—equivalent to 1,869 families (including 1,847 children)—from returning to their homes.
The ASEAN Observer Team’s (AOT) observation, verification, and report at the abovementioned locations underscore the absolute necessity for the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to launch border demarcation work as soon as possible. This alignment adheres to existing agreements, specifically point four of the Joint Statement from the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025, which aims to ensure that our citizens can safely, peacefully, and with dignity return to their homes without any obstruction.
Cambodia maintains a firm stance on protecting the Cambodia–Thailand international border as established by the Indochina–Siam Boundary Commission, by respecting the principles of international law, including the principle of the intangibility of inherited borders (Uti Possidetis Juris), and by respecting the Franco–Siamese conventions and treaties, maps, and the procès-verbaux of the Commission of the Abornement of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, the MOU 2000, the TOR 2003, as well as relevant agreements and documents that both parties have previously agreed upon. In this sense, Cambodia absolutely does not recognize any border alterations resulting from the use of force and illegal territorial occupation through the creation of a fait accompli on the ground, and will continue to formally protest to the Thai side against any unilateral or abusive actions by the Thai side against Cambodia’s legitimate territorial integrity.
The public, as well as national and international journalists, are hereby informed of the facts regarding this matter.
