Phnom Penh, June 16 — The 6th Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) concluded this afternoon with the signing of the official minutes, marking the end of two days of discussions aimed at advancing border demarcation efforts between the two neighbouring countries.
In a press release issued following the meeting, Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs described the discussions as having taken place in a “friendly and understanding atmosphere, in a spirit of open and positive dialogue.”
Despite the progress, certain longstanding issues remain unresolved. Notably, the sensitive border areas surrounding the temple complexes of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, Ta Krabei, and the disputed Mom Bei area were not included in the agenda for this round of talks.
During the session, H.E. Lam Chea, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs and Chairman of the Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission, addressed these exclusions by reaffirming Cambodia’s intention to pursue a fair and lasting resolution through international legal mechanisms. He informed his Thai counterpart that Cambodia had proposed a joint effort to refer the disputes in the four sensitive locations to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, he noted that if Thailand remains unwilling to accept the Court’s jurisdiction, Cambodia is prepared to proceed independently.
Going forward, Cambodia confirmed that the four contentious areas will be excluded from discussions within the JBC framework.
Outside of these specific areas, H.E. Lam Chea expressed Cambodia’s continued goodwill and commitment to collaborate with Thailand on broader border demarcation efforts. This includes the joint surveying of boundaries and the installation of official markers along agreed sections of the border.
The Cambodian delegation reiterated its adherence to pacifism and regional harmony, highlighting its desire to maintain a “border of peace, friendship, and cooperation” with Thailand. The minister underlined that all demarcation activities should be based on legal documents and maps agreed upon in the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), specifically referencing the use of 1:200,000 scale maps as endorsed by the historical Franco-Siamese Convention of 1904 and Treaty of 1907.
Importantly, Cambodia firmly rejected the use of any map unilaterally produced by Thailand, asserting that such documents have historically contributed to border misunderstandings and could risk inciting further disputes.
“The Cambodian side categorically rejects the map unilaterally drawn and used by the Thai side, which has been the root cause of past, present, and potential future border disputes,” the statement read.
Despite differing positions on certain issues, both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and peaceful cooperation. The next round of JBC talks is scheduled to be held in September 2025.
