Chanthaburi: The second day of discussions at the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting in Chanthaburi began two hours later than scheduled. The agenda item for expediting the Terms of Reference (TOR) 2003, using LiDAR technology to survey the border, is being closely watched, with Prasarn, the Thai chairman of the JBC, set to announce the meeting’s results this evening.
According to Thai News Agency, the extraordinary JBC meeting between Thailand and Cambodia is in its second day. The delay in starting was due to the Cambodian delegation not staying overnight on the Thai side. However, a staff meeting was held while waiting for the larger delegation’s arrival to summarize the discussions from the previous day.
Yesterday’s meeting proceeded smoothly, with the Thai side pushing forward with the planned agenda. The focus remains on managing the Ban Nong Chan and Nong Ya Kaeo areas in Sa Kaeo Province. Thailand informed Cambodia about the area designated for constructing a straight-line fence connecting agreed-upon boundary markers. This includes revising the TOR 2003 to incorporate LiDAR technology into aerial photographic mapping and urgent border demarcation for mutually agreed areas. A joint signing will follow if an agreement is reached.
The proposed location for the Thai-Cambodian border fence is at border markers 52-59, covering 8.4 kilometers in Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province. Initial work will start at border markers 52-54. The fence, approximately 3.5 meters high, must be durable to prevent intrusion, destruction, demolition, or illegal crossings, whether by digging under or climbing over.
The meeting’s outcome remains to be seen, as Mr. Prasarn Prasarnvinitchai, Ambassador and Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Border Affairs and Chairman of the Thai JBC, is expected to announce the results. The press conference was scheduled for around 6:00 p.m.