Synopsis: Regional monitor inspects displacement sites in Banteay Meanchey as thousands of residents remain blocked out of their homes.
The ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia visited the Boeung Trakuon border area in Banteay Meanchey province on Monday to observe, verify, and report on the situation along the shared border with Thailand border.
The visit came as the Ministry of National Defence reported 7,873 Cambodians remained unable to return to their homes following a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand.
National Defence Ministry spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said the Cambodian Liaison Group facilitated the AOT mission at 8.45am in the area of the Boeung Trakuon Border Checkpoint, Kouk Romiet commune, Thmar Puok district, Banteay Meanchey province.
She said the mission was intended to observe, verify, and report on the situation along the border.
Lt Gen Socheata alleged that, since the ceasefire took effect on December 27, 2025, Thai military forces have continued to install barbed wire, dig trenches and construct new military bunkers. She accused them of destroying infrastructure, homes, and property belonging to Cambodian civilians in the Boeung Trakuon area.
She added that these activities have caused fear among local residents and left 7,873 Cambodians in 1,869 families, including 1,847 children, unable to return to their homes.
On the border issue, Lt Gen Socheata said Cambodia maintains its position on protecting the international boundary established by the Indochina–Siam Boundary Commission, in accordance with international law and the principle of Uti Possidetis Juris, which concerns the preservation of existing boundaries upon independence.
She said Cambodia continues to uphold the Franco–Siamese conventions and treaties, maps, boundary-demarcation records, and agreements agreed upon by both sides. She reiterated that Cambodia would not recognise any border alteration resulting from the use of force.
Lt Gen Socheata reaffirmed the government commitment to respecting and fully implementing agreements reached between the two countries, including the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee, dated December 27, 2025, and the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, dated October 26, 2025.
She said implementation of these agreements will facilitate swift recovery and restore normality, lasting peace and stability in the border zones.
