Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to finalise technical instructions for a joint border survey and the placement of temporary markers in the sensitive frontier zone near Banteay Meanchey province’s Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages. The announcement was described as a concretes step forward in the long-standing demarcation process between the two countries.
Boundary work in these two villages has been historically sensitive due to overlapping land use and community settlements.
Once the technical instructions are approved, the joint survey teams will begin field operations to determine the precise positions of the boundary pillars.
The agreement was reached during a Special Meeting of the Cambodian-Thai Joint Border Commission (JBC), held in Chanthaburi, Thailand, on October 21–22.
The Cambodian delegation was led by Lam Chea, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs, while the Thai side was headed by Prasas Prasasvinitchai, sdvisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to a joint press statement, “The meeting was held in an atmosphere of friendship and cordiality”.
Both sides “agreed to finalise the Technical Instructions (TI) for Joint Survey and Emplacement of Temporary Markers of priority terrain segments from Boundary Pillars No. 42 to 47”.
“After the completion of the survey and emplacement of temporary markers and approval by the respective governments, both sides will consult their respective governments to decide on any appropriate mechanism for the adjustment of land occupation of both sides,” added the statement.
“The placement of temporary markers is for survey purposes only and shall be without prejudice to the international boundary between Cambodia and Thailand,” it noted.
To ensure that the work proceeds safely, the JBC emphasised the need for coordination among local authorities.
“Both sides agreed to impress upon local authorities, both military and civilian, the need to ensure the safety of the Joint Survey Team and not obstruct its work, and to refrain from any act of provocation that create further tension within the areas,” explained the statement.
The teams will also receive assurance of landmine clearance before any fieldwork begins.
Both sides also agreed to replace 15 border markers that have already been agreed upon, and to restore three that have been submerged in water, as well as on the use of new technologies such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to expedite the survey and demarcation work.
The Thai and Cambodian delegations concluded by confirming their willingness to continue discussions.
“Both sides agreed that the next meeting of the JBC will be held in the first week of January 2026 in Siem Reap, Cambodia,” added the statement.
