Chanthaburi, Thailand – After two days of marathon talks, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to carry out a joint high-tech survey of disputed border territory between posts 42 and 47, officials said.
Marathon talks yield breakthrough
Delegations from both countries met in Chanthaburi on 21 and 22 October for what negotiators described as intensive sessions run well past the scheduled end time. The discussions were led by Thailand’s Ambassador Prasas Prasasvinitchai and Cambodia’s Border Minister Lam Chea and culminated in a binding agreement to conduct coordinated surveying work across the contested strip that includes the villages of Chouk Chey–Nong Chan and Prey Chan–Nong Ya Kaeo.
High-tech mapping and safety measures
Officials agreed detailed technical instructions for the operation, including the use of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to produce highly accurate topographic maps of the area. To protect survey teams, landmine clearance will precede mapping operations in the designated zones. Both sides emphasised that any temporary markers placed in the field would be used “only for surveying purposes” and would not determine the final border alignment.
Physical markers and practical steps
The commission also agreed to replace 15 boundary posts at their original locations and to move three posts that had been submerged to newly agreed positions. Delegates said they would consult on “appropriate mechanisms to adjust land occupation” once the survey results were available, signalling a process to address on-the-ground realities without predetermining the final delimitation.
Both Thai and Cambodian officials described the atmosphere of the negotiations as “friendly and cordial,” a notable shift after years of tense and sometimes confrontational talks.
Significance and follow-up
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has simmered for decades and has previously led to military flare-ups. The agreement to cooperate on a technical survey marks a diplomatic milestone, showing a preference for joint fact-finding over unilateral action.
The Joint Border Commission (JBC) will reconvene in early January 2026 in Siem Reap to review progress on the fieldwork and to discuss next steps toward a final border settlement. Officials said the survey could improve security in the frontier region, provide greater certainty for residents and investors, and serve as a model for resolving other long-running territorial disputes in the region.
Observers cautioned that while the technical agreement was an important step, translating survey results into a lasting political settlement will require further negotiation and trust-building measures on both sides.