(Phnom Penh): Eat Sophea, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, briefed 42 heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations in Phnom Penh on the latest developments regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border situation, with particular emphasis on Thai forces’ reinforcing occupation in areas beyond Thailand’s unilaterally claimed boundary line, according to a press release seen by Fresh News on Tuesday (Jul. 7).
As part of the briefing, Ith Sotha, Permanent Secretary of State of the State Secretariat for Border Affairs, presented the internationally recognized border line, as delimited and demarcated pursuant to the Franco-Siamese Convention of 1904 and the Treaty of 1907, and compared it with the border line shown on Thailand’s unilaterally drawn map.
Eat Sophea recalled the agreed de-escalation measures set out in the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee, which was signed on 27 December 2025.
She highlighted that one of the most crucial measures agreed upon to de-escalate the situation, restore trust and achieve lasting peace between the two countries was the early resumption of the survey and demarcation work by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), with immediate priority given to areas where people live. The resumption of the JBC’s work would have enabled the remaining tens of thousands of displaced people to return to their homes and resume their normal livelihoods as agreed.
However, since Thailand’s new government took office earlier this year, there has been no indication that any steps have been taken to fulfill Thailand’s commitments under the ceasefire arrangement, while unlawful activities conducted in the occupied areas have continued unabated.
She underscored the important role of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) in supporting the implementation of the ceasefire. She reiterated Cambodia’s deep appreciation to Malaysia and the Philippines for their leadership of the AOT in their respective capacities as the previous and current Chairs of ASEAN.
She reaffirmed Cambodia’s unwavering commitment to resolving both its land and maritime boundary issues with Thailand through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements. She expressed confidence that continued adherence to international legal principles and constructive dialogue would contribute to a fair, lasting, and mutually beneficial settlement, thereby promoting peace, stability, and good-neighbourly relations between the two countries.
=FRESH NEWS
