Cambodia urges fast border demarcation with Thailand to return displaced civilians

Cambodia has called for the immediate start of border demarcation work with Thailand to allow displaced families to safely return to their homes along the shared frontier.

The Ministry of National Defence said a regional monitoring delegation, the ASEAN Observer Team, conducted a verification mission on Thursday to the Chey Chomneas Border Checkpoint in Pursat province’s Veal Veng district.

According to a ministry spokeswoman, Thai military forces have illegally occupied sovereign Cambodian territory in Thmar Da commune, installing barbed wire and 52 shipping containers. She added that Thai troops built two new flagpoles, expanded roads, upgraded military bunkers, and deepened trenches in the area, preventing displaced Cambodian families from returning home.

Phnom Penh urged the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission to urgently begin demarcation work in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and the December 2025 Joint Statement signed by both nations.

Cambodia restated its commitment to international law and the historical international boundaries set by the Indochina–Siam Boundary Commission, stating it does not recognise border changes resulting from force.

The Cambodian government and military reiterated their commitment to upholding previous peace declarations, including the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement signed in October 2025.