AKP Phnom Penh, March 13, 2026 -- The Royal Government of Cambodia has "real will" to resolve border demarcation issues with Thailand swiftly and in accordance with a bilateral joint statement issued in December, a Royal Government spokesperson said on Friday.

At a press conference at the Office of the Council of Ministers, Spokesman H.E. Pen Bona outlined Cambodia's position, citing a series of proposals submitted to Thai authorities to resume joint boundary surveys.

H.E. Bona emphasised Point 3 of the Joint Statement issued on Dec. 27, 2025, in which both sides agreed that all subsequent agreements would not prejudice the final demarcation of the international border. The point mandates the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to expedite survey and demarcation work based on existing bilateral agreements to ensure lasting peace along the frontier. It also prioritises the safety of joint survey teams, including demining efforts, and gives the highest priority to demarcation in areas inhabited by civilians.

In line with this, the Cambodian JBC has made repeated diplomatic overtures to its Thai counterpart to implement the provisions effectively. Mr. Bona stated that a fifth formal proposal was sent to the Thai JBC on Feb. 24, 2026.

This latest proposal seeks to deploy Joint Survey Teams (JSTs) to the field for several key tasks. These include the installation of temporary markers along the border between pillars 42-47 in Banteay Meanchey province's O'Chrov district, and between pillars 52-59 in Battambang province's Kamrieng district. The teams would also be tasked with reconstructing 15 border pillars, using the original French-era models, at previously agreed-upon locations.

Furthermore, Phnom Penh is proposing the resumption of work on other sections of the border, including the area between pillars 33-37 (Boeng Trakuon), the Thmar Da international checkpoint area, and other zones in Pursat province. To facilitate this, Cambodia has called for the 12th meeting of the Joint Operation Group (OG) and the 5th meeting of the Joint Technical Sub-Commission on Border (JTSC), as well as a special JBC meeting, to be held this month.

Reaffirming Cambodia's stance, H.E. Bona stated the JBC is committed to protecting the international boundary as established by the Franco-Siamese Indochina-Siam Border Commission. He stressed adherence to the principle of uti possidetis juris, respecting Franco-Siamese treaties, maps, and related agreements. "Cambodia does not recognise any border alterations resulting from the use of force," he said, adding that Cambodia is dedicated to working with the Thai JBC to achieve a lasting peace along the border.

"Cambodia strictly respects and implements the ceasefire and all points contained in this Joint Statement," H.E. Bona said. "The successive proposals sent to the Thai side to proceed with the border demarcation are proof that Cambodia has a real will to resolve the border issue peacefully... to ensure a lasting peace along the border as stated in the Joint Statement of Dec. 27, 2025, and other mutually agreed upon instruments."

By K. Rithy Reak