BANGKOK, Oct 23 — Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to expedite ongoing efforts to demarcate their shared land boundary, following a two-day Special Meeting of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for the Land Boundary (JBC) held in Chanthaburi, Thailand's eastern province, from Tuesday (October 21) to yesterday.
The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA) said that both sides agreed to instruct the Joint Technical Sub-Commission (JTSC) to replace 15 boundary pillars at their original locations and specifications, while three submerged boundary pillars will be replaced at new positions to be jointly agreed upon.
"In a key development, both countries also agreed to accelerate the revision of the 2003 Terms of Reference (TOR) concerning the production of orthophoto maps by adopting new technologies such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to expedite survey and demarcation work," it said in a statement today.
The Special Meeting of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) was co-chaired by the Thai MFA's adviser Prasas Prasasvinitchai and Cambodia's State Secretariat of Border Affairs Minister Lam Chea.
Regarding the boundary segment in the areas of Chouk Chey-Nong Chan Village and Prey Chan-Nong Ya Kaeo Village, the MFA said both countries are committed to finalising the Technical Instruction (TI) for the joint survey and emplacement of temporary markers along priority terrain segments.
"Following completion of the survey and emplacement of temporary markers, both sides will seek approval from their respective governments and consult on appropriate mechanisms to address land occupation adjustments," it said.
The MFA added that the emplacement of temporary markers will serve survey purposes only and will not prejudice the official international boundary between the two countries.
"Both sides also agreed to instruct local military and civilian authorities to ensure the safety of the Joint Survey Team, avoid any acts of provocation, and clear landmines in accordance with Article 3 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)," it said.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to convene the next JBC meeting in Siem Reap, Cambodia, during the first week of January 2026.
