(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet clarified three key points related to the measurement and installation of provisional boundary pillars along the border sections between Border Pillars No. 42–47 in Banteay Meanchey province and No. 52–59 in Battambang province. Samdech Thipadei stressed that the objective of the provisional boundary measurement and pillar installation is not to calculate land gain or loss, but primarily to accurately determine the demarcation line on the ground.

Samdech Thipadei wrote on his social media on Tuesday (Nov. 25) as follows:

"To my fellow Cambodian compatriots,

The border issue is a complex matter that has remained unresolved for hundreds of years, requiring collective effort from all of us to find solutions so that the people of both countries can live peacefully along the border in the long term.

I have previously informed the public about the Royal Government’s efforts to find an appropriate long-term solution to fully resolve the issues occurring in Chork Chey and Prey Chan villages, allowing local residents to resume their normal livelihoods and avoid prolonging the problem into the future.

Such a solution cannot be achieved through the use of violence or armed force. On the contrary, only peaceful measures, based on existing treaties, agreements, and memoranda between Cambodia and Thailand, can ensure the desired outcomes.

In this context, and in line with the spirit of agreement reached within the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), both sides agreed to deploy joint survey teams to measure and install provisional boundary pillars along Border Pillars No. 42–47 in Banteay Meanchey and No. 52–59 in Battambang.

I have observed discussions, questions, opinions, and concerns expressed by citizens on social media regarding this provisional work. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the following points:

First, is the provisional measurement and pillar installation being done hastily within a short period of time?

I would like to clarify that this work is not newly initiated, but rather a continuation of nearly 20 years of technical cooperation between the joint border teams of both countries.

The Secretariat of the Border Affairs Committee has already explained that the Cambodia–Thailand joint survey teams have been conducting on-site work since 2006 to measure and identify the exact locations of 74 concrete border pillars installed by the Indochina–Siam Boundary Commission between 1919 and 1920.

For the sections between Pillars 42–47 and 52–59, both sides had only identified the exact locations of the historical pillars, and had not yet proceeded with on-the-ground demarcation. Therefore, the current provisional measurement and pillar installation is a step-by-step continuation toward full land demarcation, in accordance with the 2000 MOU, the 2003 Terms of Reference (TOR), past JBC minutes, and the mutually agreed Technical Instructions.

Second, on what basis is the provisional boundary measurement and pillar installation conducted to ensure accuracy, transparency, and strict compliance with Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity?

All survey and identification work—including at Pillars 42–47 and 52–59—is performed with the highest level of technical accuracy and responsibility, based on legitimate documents left by the French colonial administration, particularly the Procès Verbaux of the Indochina–Siam Boundary Commissions of 1908–1909 and 1919–1920.

The Royal Government and the Cambodian JBC consistently uphold professional integrity and national responsibility, prioritizing national interests, especially the protection of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while strictly respecting international law, the principle of boundary permanence, and the established international border between Cambodia and Thailand.

Third, will the provisional measurement and pillar installation cause Cambodia to lose or gain land?

I have seen public discussions speculating about land loss or gain. I would like to clearly affirm that the purpose of this work is not to calculate any land gain or loss, but to determine the correct and precise demarcation line on the ground, based on legitimate French-era documents and international law.

Cambodia fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors—but likewise, Cambodia does not accept any violation of its own sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This provisional boundary pillar installation is part of a peaceful, long-term solution aimed at resolving disputes, ensuring security and stability for border residents, restoring their livelihoods, and fully safeguarding Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

After the measurement is completed, joint working teams from both countries will review actual land occupation by residents on both sides and compare it with the provisional pillars in order to find a mutually acceptable solution based on the principle of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Once again, I ask all compatriots to place trust in the Royal Government and the Cambodian JBC, which have always upheld professional integrity and national responsibility, prioritising the supreme national interest and strictly respecting international law, the principle of boundary permanence, and the established international Cambodia–Thailand border left by the Indochina–Siam Boundary Commissions."
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