Synopsis: Observers tour the shuttered Kilo 13 checkpoint while thousands of villagers remain locked out of their homes by Thai forces.
The ASEAN Observer Team inspected a border checkpoint in Battambang province yesterday for compliance with ceasefire arrangements, as more than 20,000 displaced Cambodians remain unable to return to their homes.
The observation mission took place in the morning at the Kilo 13 International Checkpoint in Sampov Loun district’s Santepheap commune, the Ministry of National Defence said in a statement.
The inspection aimed to assess implementation of measures stipulated in recent joint statements following the ceasefire.
Ministry spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said the crossing had remained closed since June 24, 2025, following a unilateral decision by Thailand to shut the border gate.
Government spokesman Pen Bona said yesterday that about 20,000 displaced people remained unable to return home despite a second ceasefire taking effect on December 27, 2025.
“To date, although the second ceasefire has been in effect since December 27, 2025, approximately 20,000 displaced people remain unable to return to their homes due to obstructions, including the placement of shipping containers, the installation of barbed-wire fences and the destruction of homes by Thai military forces,” he said.
Bona said the government, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, had introduced urgent measures to support the displaced, focusing on their security, safety, well-being and the restoration of their livelihoods.
The government has provided temporary shelter in “Waiting Villages” until border issues are resolved and the families can return safely to their homes, he said.
Cambodia continues to pursue diplomatic efforts at all levels and through available mechanisms to resolve border issues with Thailand peacefully, Bona said.
“Protecting sovereignty, territorial integrity and the people is the Royal Government’s highest priority,” he said.
The Ministry of National Defence reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to fully and faithfully implement the December 27, 2025 Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC), the October 26, 2025 Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, and other relevant agreements.
The State Secretariat of Border Affairs has repeatedly urged Thailand to resume joint border surveys and demarcation work without delay, saying repeated postponements in deploying joint teams have stalled progress in implementing bilateral agreements.
Thailand has suspended bilateral land border negotiations through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), blaming Cambodia’s initiation of compulsory conciliation proceedings under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea over overlapping maritime claims. Thai authorities have also repeatedly postponed proposed special JBC meetings.
