Cambodia Rejects Thai Demand for Civilian Eviction, Reaffirms JBC as Sole Mechanism

Cambodia Rejects Thai Demand for Civilian Eviction, Reaffirms JBC as Sole Mechanism

Battambang, October 4, 2025 — The Royal Cambodian Army’s 5th Military Region has formally responded to a letter from Thailand’s 1st Army Area that conditioned its participation in the upcoming Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting on Cambodia preparing an eviction plan for civilians in three contested areas along the border.

In its official reply, the 5th Military Region reaffirmed that the proposed Second Extraordinary RBC meeting, scheduled for October 10–12 in Poipet City, is consistent with the spirit and outcomes of the First Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting held on September 10 in Koh Kong Province, as well as previous RBC agreements.

The Cambodian side rejected the Thai request for an eviction plan, stressing that border demarcation matters fall strictly under the mandate of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), as recognized in Point 8 of the September 10 GBC Agreed Minutes. The RBC, the letter emphasized, is only authorized to address local incidents, reduce tensions, and promote peace on the ground—not to determine or alter boundary lines.

The 5th Military Region further noted that field observations confirm Thai occupation and infrastructure development within areas under Cambodian sovereignty. This, it argued, highlights the sensitivity of the issue and the need for both sides to fully respect existing agreements and refrain from unilateral actions until the JBC convenes to resolve the matter peacefully.

Cambodia reiterated its call for the earliest possible JBC meeting to settle disputes related to Chok Chey and Prey Chan villages and urged Thailand to respect the safety and livelihoods of civilians pending bilateral resolution.

The 5th Military Region concluded by underscoring Cambodia’s commitment to peace, cooperation, and adherence to the mechanisms jointly agreed upon by both nations.