AKP Phnom Penh May 07, 2026 --

The Philippine President H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines had facilitated a dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand as part of its role as ASEAN Chair for 2026, providing what he described as a constructive space for discussions on the bilateral border issue between the two neighbouring countries.

“The entire ASEAN family remains ready to continue supporting efforts to promote dialogue, confidence-building, and the maintenance of peace and stability in the region,” he said. 

Speaking at a joint press conference following the Trilateral Meeting between leaders of Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand on Thursday evening, on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the dialogue reflected the ASEAN spirit of mutual respect, trust, solidarity and understanding among member states. He stressed that ASEAN relations require sensitivity to each country’s concerns and a strong commitment to peaceful dialogue and cooperation.

The Philippine leader said both Cambodia and Thailand demonstrated willingness to manage differences constructively and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining open communication, exercising restraint and avoiding actions that could escalate tensions along the border.

According to H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, the Philippines approached the discussions with “utmost respect” for both countries, guided by ASEAN’s principles of sovereignty, non-interference and the peaceful settlement of disputes under the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed appreciation to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for the trust they placed in the process.

H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr said the meeting covered a wide range of issues related to the border situation and resulted in agreements on several ways forward. He noted that both leaders shared “a clear and fervent belief” that the time had come for peace rather than conflict.

As part of the outcome, the two Prime Ministers agreed to task their respective foreign ministers with continuing open and candid discussions aimed at preventing escalation, promoting peace and stability, and safeguarding the well-being of their peoples.

The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), composed of representatives from ASEAN member states, to observe, verify and report on the implementation of agreements reached by both sides.

H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr welcomed the extension of the AOT’s mandate for another three months, until July 2026, and reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities as coordinator of the observer mechanism.

H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr added that the Philippines would continue offering its good offices to support sustained dialogue and cooperation between Cambodia and Thailand, while expressing confidence that both countries would resolve their differences peacefully in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and unity.

For his part, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet reiterated Cambodia’s position that borders cannot be changed through the use of force or by creating a “fait accompli” on the ground.

The Prime Minister also called for the full and immediate implementation of the Joint Statement of Dec. 27, particularly Point 3 concerning the prompt resumption of border survey and demarcation work under the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) framework.

Meanwhile, Thai Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised the importance of more direct communication between the two countries at all levels to bridge differences and expand cooperation.

Regarding maritime boundary issues, he said he had proposed constructive ways forward during the discussion in the spirit of good neighbourliness.

By Heng Panha