Banteay Meanchey provincial administration warns Thai not to issue land titles that affect Cambodian sovereignty

The Banteay Meanchey provincial administration claims that the Thai side can issue property titles to its citizens, but must not affect Cambodia’s sovereign territory, especially in areas where the two countries have not yet agreed to demarcate the border.
Banteay Meanchey Governor Um Reatrey told local journalists on August 25 that issuing property certificates to Thai citizens on Thai territory is the right of Thai authorities, but issuing these certificates must not affect Cambodia’s sovereignty or affect areas where the Joint Border Committee (JBC) of the two countries has not yet agreed on the actual land border or affect areas where the Joint Border Commission (JBC) of the two countries has not yet agreed on the actual land border, or affect areas where Cambodian citizens currently occupy and benefit from.
Mr. Um Reatrey added that in the event that the issuance of permits affects these areas, the Banteay Meanchey provincial administration will immediately object because this action violates the spirit of the 2000 MOU between the governments of the two countries, especially affecting the negotiation process and the boundary of the Joint Border Commission (JBC) of the two countries.
On August 24, local Thai newspaper The Nation Thailand reported that Sa Kaeo provincial authorities have promised to issue title to Thai citizens who have rights in Nong Chan village, Khok Sung district, which is geographically adjacent to Chok Chey village, O Bei Chon commune, O Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province.
Regarding the border issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reiterated that Cambodia remains committed to implementing the ceasefire. and the spirit of being good neighbors by adopting peaceful means to resolve border issues through bilateral mechanisms and the ASEAN framework.
Chum Sonry, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, confirmed in a press conference on the afternoon of August 25 that the two countries should work together to promote trust-building, de-escalation, and cooperation, rather than sowing accusations that risk escalating tensions.
The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand has lasted for 2 months and 27 days, as of August 25. Cambodia has been conducting diplomatic efforts to urge the Thai side to strictly respect the ceasefire in an attempt to bring the two countries back to a state of non-conflict, But the Thai side still shows its intention of not wanting to reconcile with Cambodia.