Phnom penh: In a recent Facebook post, Cambodian Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra emphasized that the Joint Statement dated December 27, 2025, which established ceasefire arrangements between Cambodia and Thailand, does not serve as a boundary treaty and cannot be used to modify the internationally recognized border.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the minister's statement was made in response to comments by Lieutenant General Prapas Sonjaidee, Director of Thailand's Joint Information Centre, which suggested that troops should maintain their positions based on the Joint Statement, asserting that Thailand has not changed conditions on the ground. The minister countered that this interpretation is inconsistent with the purpose of the Joint Statement, international law, and the established facts and evidence.
The Joint Statement's Paragraph 2, as highlighted by the minister, is not intended to supersede the 1:200,000 map series that form part of the legal and historical documentation of the Franco-Siamese boundary settlement. These maps serve as crucial evidence for boundary delimitation and cannot be overruled by temporary military agreements meant to halt hostilities.
The Information Minister further noted that Thailand cannot use the Joint Statement as a legal justification to maintain control over Cambodian land through activities such as erecting barriers, deploying military assets, or altering the landscape. Such actions are inconsistent with international legal standards, historical treaties, and the Joint Statement itself.
The maps from the Franco-Siamese boundary process, which were significant in the International Court of Justice proceedings concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear, remain central to the boundary discussions. The ICJ judgments of 1962 and 2013 outlined Thailand's obligations, including the withdrawal of its forces from Cambodian territory, but did not define the entire border.
The minister stressed that the Joint Statement is not a boundary treaty. It underscores the priority of advancing the Joint Boundary Commission's work and relevant technical mechanisms to address boundary disputes and ease tensions. Efforts to speed up JBC activities aim to resolve outstanding demarcation issues, enable the return of displaced Cambodians, and ensure lasting peace along the border.
The minister concluded by stating that the Joint Statement is a ceasefire and de-escalation agreement, not a boundary treaty. It does not grant Thailand territorial rights or authorize activities infringing on Cambodian sovereignty. Any interpretation suggesting otherwise misrepresents the agreement's intent. Temporary military positions are security measures, not determinants of sovereignty or boundary. Thailand should demonstrate commitment to the Joint Statement through concrete actions rather than selective interpretations that misalign with its objectives.