Bangkok: The Royal Thai Army has declared that their data on the 42nd-43rd boundary line aligns with the framework set by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). They have urged Cambodia to cease distorting facts and to command Cambodian citizens who have unlawfully entered Thai territory to withdraw.
According to Thai News Agency, the Secretariat for Border Affairs of Cambodia released a statement on September 21, 2025, claiming that information disseminated via the Facebook page 'Royal Thai Army: Update' on September 19, 2025, included a map of border markers based on a meeting minute from November 24, 2017, and an appendix from December 28, 2016. This map was allegedly used to falsely suggest that Cambodian officials had accepted the border line near Prai Chan village, between border markers No. 42 and No. 43.
The Royal Thai Army clarified that the document in question was a draft illustrating the geographical features and coordinates from past meetings, meant to survey the actual locations of boundary markers No. 42 and No. 43 from the French era. It was not intended to confirm the boundary line but was instead used to create a misleading representation, suggesting a false border line.
The contentious area of Ban Prachan, between markers 42 and 43, remains unresolved, requiring further deliberation by the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Committee (JBC). Army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvari stated that the document was a joint survey result signed by both Thai and Cambodian representatives, detailing the steps to identify the correct locations of the boundary markers.
An analysis of the minutes posted on the Royal Thai Army's Facebook page showed that the document's primary purpose was to create an unofficial map for preliminary understanding by connecting known coordinates. This preliminary map does not distort the facts as alleged because it doesn't officially designate the border line, which is the purview of the JBC.
Thai authorities have consistently adhered to JBC principles and the MOU 2000 framework, despite the incomplete boundary survey procedures as per the 2003 TOR. The documented coordinates serve as a reference for initial official work.
Cambodia's claim regarding the unresolved status of Ban Prachan raises questions about the extent of Cambodian encroachment into Thai territory, violating the 2000 MOU. This agreement prohibits land changes in disputed areas, yet encroachments have led to community expansions into Thai territory, as evidenced by aerial photos.
The Army spokesman emphasized Thailand's adherence to JBC and MOU 2000 mechanisms, suggesting that Cambodia should focus on halting the expansion of communities into Thai territory. Cambodia's actions, including protests and misinformation, have worsened the conflict, showcasing a lack of sincerity in resolving the issue.