Phnom penh: Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has announced significant progress in ongoing efforts to peacefully resolve the border dispute, especially in Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages, following two days of talks between Cambodian and Thai delegations under the Special Meeting of the Cambodian-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC).
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, tensions had risen in the border area for more than two months after Thai military forces reportedly used barbed wire and car tires to encircle several Cambodian households and farmlands. This situation caused hardship for local residents and concern among Cambodians both at home and abroad, Prime Minister Hun Manet shared on his social media platforms.
The Royal government of Cambodia reaffirmed that its main objective from the outset has been to contain the situation, prevent further escalation, and find a peaceful, lasting solution that protects the interests and safety of citizens. Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that the government has consistently adhered to patience, dialogue, and the use of peaceful means, rejecting any form of violence that could worsen the dispute or endanger civilians.
Addressing public concerns, the Royal government of Cambodia strongly denied rumors that it had secretly agreed to cede any part of its sovereign territory to Thailand in exchange for a ceasefire or peace accord. The Prime Minister underlined that there has been no secret agreement to cede Cambodia’s land and asserted that Cambodia has respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries while insisting that its own sovereignty and territory must not be violated.
The Cambodian Premier mentioned that the border demarcation issues are complex and date back hundreds of years, requiring technical precision and mutual understanding to ensure long-term peace and coexistence along the border. The JBC, active for over two decades, remains the legitimate mechanism to address these matters based on existing treaties, conventions, and bilateral agreements between the two countries.
During the Special JBC Meeting held on Oct. 21-22, 2025, in Chanthaburi province, Thailand, both sides engaged in detailed discussions aimed at identifying a transparent and mutually acceptable path forward. The delegations agreed to continue joint technical work to conduct boundary measurements and install provisional markers, using the 1/200,000-scale map attached to the 1907 Franco-Siam Treaty and records from the historical Franco-Siamese boundary demarcation as the basis.
The results from this technical process will later be cross-verified with the actual occupation and land use by residents on both sides to help determine a fair and accurate boundary solution. This approach aims for a sustainable resolution, allowing Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villagers to resume their normal livelihoods in peace and stability.