Phnom Penh: A spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense said that on June 16, 2026, at 9:15 am, the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) led by the Head of the ASEAN Observer Mission (HOM AOT) Philippines observed, verified, and visited refugees in the village of Sla Kram, Svay Chek District, Banteay Meanchey Province, who have not yet returned home.
According to the spokesperson, all these refugees have not yet been able to return to their homes due to the illegal occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai military forces in some areas by laying barbed wire, containers, and even houses have been destroyed.
The spokesperson said that the observation, verification and visit to the refugees who are unable to return to their homes by the ASEAN observer team highlights the absolute necessity for the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to commence the demarcation work as soon as possible, in accordance with the existing agreement as stated in the third point of the Joint Declaration of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Boundary Commission (GBC) on December 27, 2025, to allow the innocent civilians of Cambodia to return to their homes without hindrance and in safety and dignity.
The spokesperson emphasized that Cambodia firmly stands in protecting the Cambodia-Thai international border line left by the Indochina-Siamese Border Commission, respecting the principles of international law, the principle of immutability of the border line, respecting the French-Siamese Convention, the map and demarcation record of the Indochina-Siamese Border Demarcation Commission, as well as the agreements and related documents that the two sides have agreed to in the past. Cambodia absolutely does not recognize any border changes resulting from the use of force.
