Thailand and Cambodia agree 5-stage plan for border demarcation

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed on a five-stage action plan for the demarcation of the border line, from the KM52 to the KM59 border marker in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, according to informed sources close to the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

The sources added, however, that the two countries have already implemented Stage 1, which concerns the recognition of the 52nd and 59th markers as the agreed boundary line for demarcation and the setting up of a technical subcommittee to supervise the demarcation process, and Stage 2 pertaining to the drafting of a Technical Instruction Agreement for the surveying and planting of temporary border markers.

The two countries are now advancing towards Stage 3 of the action plan, which concerns the survey of the border line and installation of temporary markers, through the use of GPS and GNSS techniques. Temporary markers will be planted every 50-100 metres along the agreed border line, from the KM52 to KM59 markers.

Aerial imagery from drones will also be used for field mapping of the positions of KM52 though KM59 on the border line.

The sources said that Stage 3 will take 10-15 days to implement, depending on the terrain and the danger posed by landmines, which may still be in the area. The Army Corps of Engineers of both countries will take the lead in the installation of the border markers.

The final stage concerns the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on border fence construction. This will require the participation of the Defence Ministry, the Royal Thai Navy, the JBC and the Interior Ministry, said the sources, adding that the MoU must comply with the 1907 Border Convention and ‘MoU 2000’.