BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has outlined the legal and practical benefits of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU43) between Thailand and Cambodia on land boundary survey and demarcation. According to Benjamin Sukanjanajtee, Director-General of the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, and MFA Spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura, the MOU provides a structured framework for border surveys, mine clearance, and joint mapping based on the historical Franco-Siamese treaty of 1904 and 1907.
MOU43 formalizes the use of original documents and maps produced by the Siam–France Boundary Commission and tasks the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) with overseeing the demarcation process. Supporting the JBC is the Joint Technical Sub-Committee (JTSC), which conducts on-site surveys, verifies the locations of boundary pillars, and prepares reports for review. The ultimate goal is to produce an official map that represents mutual agreement and is consistent with international legal standards.
A key condition under MOU43 prohibits both countries from altering the physical state of the border area in ways that could obstruct demarcation, such as digging trenches, stationing troops, or modifying the terrain. The MOU also requires cooperation in mine clearance to ensure safe access for survey teams. All disputes arising under the agreement must be resolved through bilateral negotiation, excluding involvement from third countries or international bodies.
Officials cautioned that terminating MOU43 would not release Thailand from its obligations under the 1904 and 1907 treaties. The 1:200,000-scale map associated with those treaties would still be relevant, and any attempt to bypass the current framework would ultimately return both sides to the same starting point under existing legal conditions.
The agreement also allows for the identification of violations based on environmental changes along the border, creating a practical standard for assessing compliance. Without MOU43, this mechanism would be lost, and accountability would be more difficult to enforce.
Following the most recent JBC meeting in June 2025, the JTSC has begun surveying 29 of the 74 unresolved boundary pillar sites. The progress underscores continued cooperation under the MOU framework and a functioning mechanism for advancing border demarcation through established bilateral channels. (NNT)
