Banteay meanchey: Governor of Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province H.E. Oum Reatrey has formally expressed concern to his Thai counterpart in Sa Kaeo province following a media interview regarding the issuance of land titles in a border area that remains undemarcated.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, in an official statement dated Aug. 25, Governor Oum Reatrey responded to remarks made by H.E. Parinya Phothisat, Governor of Sa Kaeo province, who told The Nation Thailand on Aug. 24 that Thai authorities plan to issue land titles in Nong Chan village, Khok Sung district. This area lies adjacent to Cambodia's Chok Chey village, located in O' Beichoan commune, O' Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province.
H.E. Oum Reatrey acknowledged that the issuance of land titles within Thailand's recognised territory falls under the jurisdiction of Thai authorities. However, he firmly opposed any administrative actions involving land that either belongs to Cambodia or lies within areas where the border has not been officially demarcated by the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
He emphasised that such actions breach the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations and undermine ongoing negotiations and technical processes led by the JBC to establish a mutually agreed-upon border. H.E. Oum Reatrey urged the Sa Kaeo Provincial Administration to uphold a spirit of cooperation and good neighbourliness, stressing the importance of avoiding unnecessary tensions and fostering peaceful relations between the two provinces.