RAYONG — 21 May 2026, Thailand’s Army Chief met with the head of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) from the Philippines on Thursday to reaffirm a joint commitment to maintaining stability and security along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Gen. Pana Claewplodtook, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, alongside high-ranking military officials, welcomed Brig. Gen. Gregorio Sibayan Nieveras, Head of the ASEAN Observer Team-Thailand (AOT-TH), and his AOT delegation from the Philippines on Thursday. The official introductory meeting was held in the Sri Sitthi Songkhram Reception Room within the Royal Thai Army Headquarters.
Both sides emphasized the vital mechanisms outlined in their Joint Statement, which aims to drive bilateral cooperation across all levels, from high-level policy down to ground operations. This is designed to foster peace, security, and orderly conduct along the shared Thai-Cambodian border, paving the way for sustainable peace and shared prosperity in the region.
Brig. Gen. Nieveras underscored the AOT’s core operational principles, promising that the observation team will adhere to strict neutrality at all times. This principle guides their mission to observe and collect information with absolute accuracy, transparency, and fairness, in accordance with the mutual agreements.
Gen. Pana confirmed that the Royal Thai Army stands fully prepared to support and facilitate the AOT’s mission across all dimensions, so the AOT delegation can carry out its oversight duties successfully within the established frameworks of the Joint Statement and existing cooperation agreements. This collaboration directly reflects the army’s commitment to anchoring the security mechanisms of the ASEAN Community.
