AKP Phnom Penh, June 16, 2026 --

Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs has called on Thailand to promptly resume joint border survey and demarcation activities through the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), citing repeated delays from the Thai side despite previous bilateral commitments.

In a press release issued today, the State Secretariat said the Cambodian side of the JBC had previously sent multiple diplomatic notes proposing the convening of a special JBC meeting and the deployment of Joint Survey Teams (JSTs) to resume field operations. However, the Thai side requested postponements on several occasions, citing reasons including internal procedures, elections, the appointment of a new prime minister, cabinet formation, and approval of a new JBC leadership structure.

The statement noted that although Thailand has since appointed a new prime minister and formed a new cabinet, the Thai Government has yet to officially designate the chairperson and members of its JBC.

Cambodia said the continued delay in reactivating the JBC mechanism and dispatching Joint Survey Teams runs counter to the Agreed Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand JBC of Oct. 22, 2025, and the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) dated Dec. 27, 2025, particularly provisions prioritising the resumption of survey and demarcation work and facilitating the safe and dignified return of affected civilians.

The State Secretariat further stated that, according to previously agreed procedures and working protocols, both sides should resume technical cooperation through the Joint Technical Sub-Commission (JTSC) and Operational Group (OG) mechanisms while continuing field survey activities and temporary boundary marker placement, as had been practiced between 2013 and 2025.

Cambodia also referred to public remarks previously reported in Thai media indicating that working-level teams would continue carrying out their responsibilities.

According to the statement, the Cambodian side sent a new note verbale on June 15, 2026, once again proposing that Thailand dispatch Joint Survey Teams to resume work on the ground at the earliest opportunity.

The State Secretariat reiterated Cambodia’s position in protesting what it described as the illegal occupation of Cambodian territory and reaffirmed its rejection of any modification of boundary lines through the use of force, while maintaining support for resolving border issues through existing bilateral mechanisms and established agreements.

By C. Nika