Cambodia and Thailand Hold Border Committee Secretariat Meeting to Address Ongoing Disputes

Phnom Penh, February 2, 2026 – Cambodia and Thailand held a meeting of the Secretariat of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) this Monday, marking a new step in efforts to resolve persistent border disputes.

Context of the Meeting

The meeting took place at 11:50 a.m. at the Choam-Sa Ngam International Border Checkpoint, in Anlong Veng District, Oddar Meanchey Province, between the teams of Cambodia’s Region 4 Military Secretariat and Thailand’s Army Zone 2 Secretariat. It was held under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) from both countries, underscoring the region’s commitment to peace.According to Major General Maly Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense, discussions focused on ongoing border issues within the framework of existing bilateral agreements.

Lack of Consensus and Next Steps

Since the two sides did not reach common ground, they agreed to return to their respective headquarters to continue exchanging documents and negotiating until consensus is achieved. A formal signing ceremony will follow, preceding an official RBC meeting between Cambodia’s Region 4 Military and Thailand’s Army Zone 2.This approach mirrors previous meetings, such as those held in January 2026 at Choam-Sa Ngam and Poipet, which also ended without immediate agreement but with continued engagement.

Roots in Recent Agreements

This special meeting follows the spirit of the Joint Declaration from the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025, signed at the Prum-Pak Kard border checkpoint. The document provides for an immediate ceasefire starting at noon on December 27, 2025, a ban on provocative actions, the maintenance of current troop positions, gradual demilitarization, and the resumption of civilian activities along the border.Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to fully implementing these measures to de-escalate tensions arising from the 2025 border crisis, promoting regional peace and a swift return to normalcy.

ASEAN’s Role and Future Outlook

Observation by the AOT strengthens transparency and mutual trust, as seen in field visits and the 21 previous bilateral meetings. These efforts align with established bilateral mechanisms, including demining, combating cross-border crimes, and resuming border trade to achieve lasting stability. Additional RBC meetings are scheduled for next week in other areas, reflecting an iterative process of building confidence.