ASEAN Observer Team Visits Preah Vihear to Verify Post-Ceasefire Situation

PREAH VIHEAR PROVINCE – The ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) has conducted a field visit to the area surrounding Preah Vihear Temple to assess conditions following the implementation of the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire agreement, Cambodian defence officials said on Thursday.

The observation mission, facilitated by the Ministry of National Defence, took place at 10:00am on February 26 in Choam Ksan district, according to Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for the ministry.

The visit marks one of the most visible post-ceasefire monitoring efforts since hostilities along the disputed border subsided late last year.

On-the-Ground Verification

According to the ministry, the ASEAN Observer Team carried out field observation, verification and reporting on developments in the area since the ceasefire took effect on December 27, 2025.

The temple area, a site of deep historical and cultural significance, sustained heavy damage during what Cambodian authorities described as Thai military aggression in December. The clashes reignited long-standing sensitivities surrounding the frontier zone and prompted urgent diplomatic engagement at both bilateral and regional levels.

Officials said the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) coordinated Thursday’s mission, ensuring access for observers to assess the security and structural situation in and around the affected site.

The AOT’s mandate includes monitoring compliance with ceasefire arrangements and providing impartial reporting to support transparency and confidence-building between the two sides.

Commitment to Agreements

Speaking on behalf of the defence ministry, Socheata said Cambodia has consistently respected and implemented the ceasefire terms, as well as the broader framework of agreements concluded with Thailand in recent months.

These include the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement signed on October 26, 2025, and the Joint Statement issued during the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee on December 27, 2025.

“Cambodia remains committed to all relevant agreements with the objective of achieving a just, fair and lasting solution in accordance with international law,” she said.

Phnom Penh has repeatedly emphasized that its approach to the dispute is grounded in legal principles and diplomatic dialogue, rather than military escalation.

Regional Oversight

The deployment of the observer team reflects the role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in managing intra-regional disputes through peaceful mechanisms.

ASEAN’s involvement is intended to reinforce trust between member states and ensure that ceasefire commitments translate into tangible stability on the ground.

While tensions have eased since late December, the situation remains sensitive. The temple, perched along the contested frontier, has historically been a flashpoint in Cambodia–Thailand relations, making independent verification efforts particularly significant.

The defence ministry said Cambodia expects Thailand to uphold the same agreements “with good faith and sincerity” to preserve peace and stability along the shared border.

A Test for Lasting Stability

The latest observation mission underscores the fragile but holding ceasefire between the two neighbours. For local communities in Preah Vihear province, the presence of ASEAN monitors offers a measure of reassurance after weeks of uncertainty during the December clashes.

Diplomats note that sustained monitoring will be critical in preventing misunderstandings and rebuilding confidence, particularly in areas where infrastructure and heritage sites have suffered damage.

As ASEAN observers compile their findings, attention now turns to whether both sides will continue to translate formal agreements into durable calm along one of Southeast Asia’s most historically sensitive border zones.

For Cambodia, the message remains consistent: adherence to international law, implementation of signed agreements and reliance on regional mechanisms are, officials say, the only viable path toward a lasting and equitable resolution.