Cambodia and Thailand complete 56% border marker work
Cambodian and Thai technical teams work side by side to install temporary border markers in Cambodia’s Battambang province and Thailand’s Chanthaburi province. SSBA
Synopsis: Feuding neighbours set differences aside to put up temporary border markers spanning Kamrieng district in Battambang province and Chanthaburi province in Thailand. Joint technical teams meet to begin implement newly approved technical instructions following a special JBC meeting in Chanthaburi in October.
Cambodia and Thailand have completed 56% of the temporary border marker exercise along the stretch between markers 52 and 59, covering Kamrieng district in Battambang province and Chanthaburi province in Thailand.
The progress was made as technical teams from both countries met to begin preparations for implementing newly approved technical instructions to advance bilateral boundary work.
A senior official from the State Secretariat for Border Affairs told Khmer Times that both sides agreed to carry out the work from November 8 to 17.
“During this period, a total of 94 temporary markers have been placed on the ground out of a total plan of 166 markers, achieving approximately 56% of the target,” the official said.
The official added that both parties will continue the follow the schedule that aims to complete the project in the near future.
The senior Cambodian official confirmed that technical teams from both countries convened at the Poipet International Border Checkpoint yesterday to advance the bilateral boundary work.
The meeting followed the endorsement of the technical instructions by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) of both countries.
Following the special JBC meeting in Chanthaburi on October 21-22, Cambodia and Thailand issued a six-point joint press statement outlining progress on their border cooperation. The statement noted that the meeting was held “in an atmosphere of friendship and cordiality.”
It was co-chaired by Lam Chea, Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs and Chairman of the Cambodia-Thailand JBC, and Prasas Prasasvinitchai, Advisor to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former Thai Ambassador to Cambodia, and Chairman of the Thailand–Cambodia JBC.
Both sides agreed to replace 15 boundary pillars at their original positions and to relocate three submerged pillars to mutually determined locations. To accelerate survey work, the 2003 demarcation Terms of Reference will be revised to incorporate modern technology, including LiDAR mapping.
On the stretch of the boundary between pillars 42 and 47, Cambodia and Thailand committed to finalising technical instructions for a joint survey and placing temporary border markers as part of the process.
The countries emphasised that these temporary markers are solely for survey purposes and do not alter the official international boundary.
Once the survey and marking are completed and approved, both sides will determine an appropriate mechanism to address land occupation issues. The two countries also reiterated their commitment to demining efforts and protecting survey teams. The next JBC meeting is scheduled to take place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in the first week of January.
Chea said at that time that he confides that the results achieved would serve as “a solid foundation for both sides to set the future direction of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission.”
Prasas emphasised that the survey and identification of the Cambodia-Thailand land boundary remains “a complex and highly technical task.”
“Our work here is not to take away what rightfully belongs to the other side, but to seek common ground,” Prasas said.
Under the plan, joint survey teams will conduct on-site inspections and begin the process of installing temporary boundary markers between Border Posts 42 and 47.
The area spans O’Beichoan commune in O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, and Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, involving border villages of Prey Chan and Chork Chey where last week, Thai military shot and killed a Cambodian villager and injured three others.
Thai media reported that Cambodian officials arrived in Thailand yesterday for a long-delayed technical meeting to prepare the installation of temporary boundary markers between border posts 42 and 47 in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province.
It claimed meeting was initially scheduled for Monday but was postponed by a day after Cambodia failed to finalise the technical-certification documents.
However, a senior official from Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs has rejected claims that Cambodia was responsible for the one-day delay.
The Cambodian official confirmed that Cambodia only received Thailand’s approved technical instructions—sent through the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh—on the morning of November 17.
Under prior agreement, Thailand was required to deliver the endorsed document to enable Cambodia to issue its diplomatic response.
“It is inaccurate to suggest the delay was caused by Cambodia. The slowdown came from Thailand,” the senior official stated.
-Khmer Times-
