ASEAN observers inspect border pillar as Cambodia restates commitment to dialogue

ASEAN observers traveled to Boundary Pillar No. 27 in Banteay Meanchey province on October 1 to check conditions along the Cambodia-Thailand border, while Cambodia's defence ministry repeated its pledge to settle border matters peacefully through talks and bilateral channels.

In a statement released the same day, the Ministry of National Defence said the Cambodian Liaison Group arranged the morning visit by the ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH) to the marker in Thmar Romiel Lech village, Banteay Chhmar commune, Thmor Puok district.

According to the ministry, the trip was meant to give observers a first-hand look at conditions around the boundary pillars that Cambodia and Thailand have agreed upon, as well as a direct view of the border situation on the ground.

The ministry tied the visit to Cambodia's stance that border disputes should be settled under international law, existing bilateral accords and the work of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

The statement repeated that the government consistently backs peaceful solutions through discussion and bilateral mechanisms.

Alongside its emphasis on dialogue, the ministry restated Cambodia's position on defending the international boundary established by the commission tasked with demarcating the border between Indochina and Siam.

"Cambodia maintains an unyielding and firm position in safeguarding the international boundary line between Cambodia and Thailand," the statement said.

The ministry pointed to the Franco-Siamese conventions and treaties, boundary delimitation protocols and maps produced by the commission, along with its meeting minutes and records of boundary pillar placement.

It also cited the 2000 memorandum of understanding, the 2003 terms of reference, and other agreements and documents previously accepted by both countries as the framework for peacefully resolving disputes and securing lasting peace.

The statement offered no details about conditions at Boundary Pillar No. 27 and did not reveal the ASEAN observers' findings.