Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence said that on Monday, July 6, an ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), led by the Philippine Head of Mission (HOM AOT), observed, verified and collected information on conditions around border markers 52–59 in Kamrieng district, Battambang province. The visit followed notification to Thailand and involved relevant local authorities, with coordination by Cambodia’s CLG coordination team.
The ministry said the observers examined circumstances related to a border fence unilaterally constructed by the Thai military near markers 52–54 and observed damage to temporary markers that the ministry attributed to that unilateral activity.
After receiving technical information on joint survey work and the installation of temporary markers by the two countries’ joint survey teams, the AOT in Cambodia also visited farming sites between markers 51–59 where, according to the ministry’s account, Thai residents had cultivated land extending into Cambodian territory.
Cambodia lodged a diplomatic-note protest with Thailand, saying the activities affected existing bilateral procedures under the two sides’ Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). Cambodia urged that a JBC meeting be held as soon as possible to address the issue.
The ministry added that the visit was intended to give observers a broad understanding based on direct observation of border conditions and to present Cambodia’s position of resolving border issues peacefully through dialogue and bilateral mechanisms, in accordance with international law, applicable bilateral agreements and the JBC’s mandate.
By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
