Cambodia seeks urgent JBC meeting as Thai troops block border villages

Cambodia has requested the urgent convening of the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to expedite border demarcation work and pursue the peaceful settlement of territorial disputes, as Bangkok intensifies the encirclement of Cambodian border villages in an act Phnom Penh describes as illegal occupation.

Despite the outcome of the third Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting signed between the two countries on December 27, which said that civilians living in affected border areas should be allowed to return “at the earliest, without obstruction and in safety and dignity, to their homes and normal livelihoods on their own side”, the Thai army has continued to block villagers from returning. This has reportedly been achieved by the installation of barbed wire and shipping containers to block roads and surround border villages.

According to the Cambodian government, Bangkok is currently illegally occupying Cambodian territory in four provinces—Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey and Pursat. In Banteay Meanchey province alone, the Thai military has occupied six villages, partially and fully, forcing tens of thousands to remain in refugee camps indefinitely.

Civilians in Boeng Trakuon in Kok Romiet commune, Thmar Puok district, and Prey Chan and Chork Chhey villages in O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, remain too intimidated to return to their homes. This is because Thai soldiers have continued to surround residential areas by installing barbed wire, shipping containers and tyres, effectively occupying villagers’ homes.

Nevertheless, some residents whose homes are located near areas surrounded by Thai troops have stayed behind to guard their homes, farmland and belongings. Others have cautiously returned to retrieve essential items.

“Cambodia has requested the urgent convening of the JBC to expedite its work in line with the Joint Statement,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn said while briefing heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations.

Cambodia proposed convening a special JBC meeting in Siem Reap province in early January to address unresolved border issues, including delays in survey and demarcation work and alleged violation of Cambodian territory.

The meeting, initially scheduled for the first week of January in Siem Reap, was later postponed by Thailand, which cited internal procedural reasons. In response, Cambodia submitted a Note Verbale on January 5, requesting that the meeting be rescheduled for the second or third week of January.

Meanwhile, the ASEAN Observation Team (AOT) also assessed the impact of a Thai military attack.

Oddar Meanchey Governor Mean Chanyada yesterday led the AOT to assess the impact of a Thai military attack and the installation of barbed wire at the O’Smach International Border Crossing.

He said the assessment followed serious violations by Thai military forces, which allegedly used heavy weaponry to shell Cambodian territory, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and civilian property. The inspection took place at the O’Smach International Border Crossing in O’Smach commune, Samraong City.

The AOT on January 6 also inspected damage to the O’Chik Bridge in Chong Kal district, reportedly caused by an F-16 fighter jet air raid by the Thai military.

Yesterday, 7,866 more displaced persons returned home, taking the total number of people who have gone back to their villages to nearly 470,000, while 178,894 remain in displacement camps, according to a Ministry of Interior report.

He highlighted the outcomes of the Joint Statement issued at the third Special GBC meeting, which set out key measures aimed at de-escalation, confidence-building and the restoration of peace and normality. These included the implementation of a ceasefire effective from noon on December 27, commitments to ensure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) without obstruction, and renewed agreement to resolve disputes peacefully by addressing root causes, including through the resumption of the JBC.

Sokhonn welcomed the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers, saying the move contributed to rebuilding trust between the two sides.

He, however, expressed concern that hundreds of thousands of IDPs are still unable to return home to locations in four provinces, citing continued military presence and related activities affecting civilian structures and access. He stressed that actions on the ground must be consistent with ceasefire commitments, international principles and the spirit of ASEAN cooperation.

On boundary issues, Sokhonn reaffirmed that Cambodia and Thailand share an internationally recognised boundary defined by maps produced under the 1904 Convention and the 1907 Treaty.

He noted progress made by the JBC, including recent work along border segments between Boundary Pillars 52–59 and 42–47, and recalled that the Joint Statement of the third Special GBC explicitly states that all arrangements are without prejudice to boundary survey and demarcation. Cambodia has therefore requested the urgent convening of the JBC to accelerate its work in line with the Joint Statement.

He said Cambodia remains fully committed to ensuring the ceasefire is upheld and sustained, with immediate priorities focused on the good-faith implementation of all related agreements.

These priorities include facilitating the safe return of displaced civilians, resolving disputes through established mechanisms, resuming survey and demarcation work under the JBC, strengthening practical cooperation within agreed frameworks such as humanitarian demining through the Joint Coordinating Task Force, and maintaining open communication channels between military authorities and foreign ministries.

The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of enhancing the role of the AOT in verifying and ensuring full implementation of the ceasefire and other agreed measures, as part of broader efforts to promote transparency, confidence-building and mutual trust.

He reiterated that Cambodia and Thailand, as permanent neighbours, share a responsibility to ensure lasting peace, stability and prosperity for their peoples, the region and the ASEAN community, reaffirming Cambodia’s commitment to resolving disputes through peace, diplomacy and established mechanisms to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Documentation Centre of Cambodia Director Youk Chhang said the Thai military’s continued occupation of Cambodian border areas, including several sacred Khmer cultural sites and temples, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and demonstrated disregard for the ceasefire agreements brokered by the United States and ASEAN.

“This note is not dedicated to the Thai military’s misbehaviour,” he said. “Instead, it focuses on the unquenchable spirit of the Cambodian nation, which is inseparably bound to the land currently occupied by Thai soldiers.”

“The spirit of the Cambodian people is intertwined with the land, just as the land is part of the Cambodian nation. Any temporary actions to occupy, alter or incorporate these lands are not only misguided but ultimately futile,” he added.

The Ministry of Interior reported that the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border remained under close monitoring following the December 26 ceasefire.

Public services have gradually resumed in several provinces, although some schools, health centres and local administrative offices remain closed. In Oddar Meanchey province, most public institutions have resumed operations, though 57 schools, 10 health centres, one commune administration and one police station were still shut.

In Banteay Meanchey province, five schools and one health centre remain closed, while other public service institutions have resumed operations. In Preah Vihear province, 61 schools and 14 health centres were shuttered, although limited services have resumed at district and commune levels.

The ministry reported no new cases of public infrastructure damage during the reporting period. However, cumulative damage since December 7 is extensive, affecting private and public property in several provinces.

Authorities continue to assess damage and assist displaced residents. In Preah Vihear province, assessments are ongoing in Choam Khsant district, while food supplies have been delivered to civilians unable to return home. In Oddar Meanchey province, 84 villages remain inaccessible, while preparations are underway in 172 villages to restore housing and living conditions.

In Banteay Meanchey province, shelters have been arranged for residents unable to return home, alongside unexploded ordnance awareness programmes in coordination with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, and repairs to electricity and telecommunications networks. In Battambang province, authorities are assisting affected residents and preparing for UXO clearance, while in Pursat province officials continue to monitor conditions and visit returnees.

The Ministry of Interior reported that on the night of January 7, Thai forces deployed two drones over Pursat province and 25 drones over Preah Vihear province, actions it said violated Cambodia’s sovereignty.KhmerTime