Background
Institutional function: the Ministry of National Defence’s Coordination Group (CLG) arranges on-site cooperation between Cambodian authorities and international observer teams at contested border locations, and it facilitated a verification mission on 18 June 2026 at the Choam International Border Checkpoint. The CLG coordinated with the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), led by the Philippines’ Head of Mission, to observe, verify, and report on conditions in Trapaing Prey commune, Anlong Veng district, Oddar Meanchey province.
The Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) is the bilateral mechanism designated to carry out boundary demarcation work between the two countries under existing GBC agreements. The Ministry of National Defence publicly stated that Cambodia rejects any change to the border line resulting from the use of force and urged the JBC to commence demarcation as soon as possible in line with point three of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on 27 December 2025.
Key Developments
The Ministry reported that on Thursday 18 June 2026 at 09:05 the CLG escorted the AOT to Choam checkpoint and other affected areas in Trapaing Prey commune. The locations visited were described in the statement as having been attacked, enclosed with barbed wire, and illegally occupied by Thai military forces. The on-site visit was intended to verify implementation of ceasefire-related measures and to document the local security and border access situation.
Policy Context
The Ministry’s announcement cites the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand GBC (27 December 2025) as the operative framework guiding demarcation and confidence-building measures. Cambodia’s public call for expedited JBC demarcation reflects a policy preference for resolving boundary questions through the established bilateral commission and related GBC agreements rather than by unilateral or forceful measures.
Institutional Role
The press release emphasizes three institutional roles: the Ministry’s CLG as coordinator for access and observation, the ASEAN Observer Team as an international verification and reporting presence on-site, and the JBC as the bilateral technical body responsible for demarcation. The Ministry also expressed support for strengthening the AOT mandate to ensure full and effective implementation of ceasefire obligations and related measures agreed by the two sides.
Source: Press release by the Ministry of National Defence (Kingdom of Cambodia), 18 June 2026. Original post: https://www.facebook.com/Ministrydefence/posts/pfbid02CwXK7bA4SZjw3mYGzJY8VSrRbk2hn3GpHWbt1qCQFWMqa3q4F87HM1RF28afdTAYl
