The Cambodian government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the 250-kilometre border ring road, a key infrastructure project designed to strengthen territorial integrity and promote regional development.

Funded by the Foundation for Border Infrastructure Development (FBID), the initiative reflects the government’s dedication to safeguarding national sovereignty while fostering growth in remote border areas.

“[Prime Minister Hun Manet] has emphasised that the government is committed to completing the border ring road, following the guidance of Senate president Hun Sen. This project is of utmost importance,” said government spokesperson Pen Bona.

“When we establish border posts, if we don’t construct the roads, our people won’t have access to them or the border lines, as they are deep in the jungle and inaccessible,” Bona told The Post.

He further noted that the road serves as a critical defense for the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, ensuring that the nation’s borders remain secure and stable.

Bona also highlighted the road’s developmental potential, stating that once the roads are in place, they will create opportunities for settlement and the development of infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, health centres and markets. 

“It will transform into a zone of development,” he said.

Preliminary clearing of a 58.5-km path has been completed, including 36.6km of main roads, 25km of road and mountain walls and 30.2km of drainage systems. FBID

“The government’s goal is to develop the border into one of peace, friendship, cooperation and development. This has been a core strategy for territorial defence since the time of [former prime minister Hun Sen], and we continue to build upon this principle,” he added.

The road, which primarily spans the northeastern provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakkiri, is expected to be completed by April 2027.

FBID chairman Kim Bunthan praised the success of the project’s fundraising campaign, which raised over $26.96 million in just 66 days, with contributions from 720,105 donors.

Speaking at the project’s launch on November 1, Bunthan noted that the campaign received a total of more than 32.95 billion riel (about $8.21 million) and $18.72 million, reflecting strong support from both local and international communities.

This marks a significant milestone, addressing 18.4 per cent of the country’s remaining unfinished border road network.

In a press release issued on December 27, the FBID highlighted notable progress in fund management and infrastructure development, emphasising trust and transparency as the foundation of its operations. The organisation confirmed that all public contribution accounts have been closed, with funds securely stored in designated accounts.

“A robust financial system has been established, reflecting public and governmental confidence,” stated the FBID’s working group. 

Additionally, a dedicated public relations team has been set up to provide regular updates from construction sites, ensuring the public remains informed about the project’s progress.

A total of more than 1.462 million square metres of land has been cleared as part of mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance efforts, including over 1.225 million square metres in Mondulkiri and 237,500 in Ratanakkiri. During the clearance process, 23 types of ordnance were uncovered, including six cluster bombs. The efforts are ongoing at designated sites to ensure the safety of future development.

Preliminary clearing of a 58.5-kilometre stretch of the road has been completed, along with the construction of 36.6 kilometres of main roads, 25 kilometres of road and mountain walls and 30.2 kilometres of drainage systems. Additionally, crushed stone paving has been completed over 10.2 kilometres in Mondulkiri, laying the groundwork for further construction and development.

“The work teams and engineering units involved in the border ring road construction are fully committed to delivering this historic project with high responsibility and dedication,” the press release stated.

The project comes at a pivotal time for Cambodia, following its withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) in September. The decision, spurred by public concerns over national sovereignty, has strengthened the government’s focus on reinforcing its borders.

Government spokesperson Pen Bona (black T-shirt, to right of monument) leads visitors on a tour of the northeast region. Supplied

Political analyst Lao Mong Hay has proposed several measures to enhance border protection, including legislative and administrative reforms. He suggested enacting a law to prohibit the sale and lease of land in border areas to individuals without Cambodian parentage.

“Landless Cambodians should be allocated land to encourage settlement in border communes,” Mong Hay told The Post, noting that he had raised such a strategy long ago.

Mong Hay also recommended appointing senior military officers as governors of border districts and directly assigning commune chiefs and wardens in border areas without holding elections.

He added that a draft law on the development and management of border districts and communes has been included as part of his proposal.

Bona highlighted last week’s public visit to the construction sites as an example of the government’s dedication to safeguarding the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

“Allowing citizens to witness the ongoing efforts firsthand underscores the government’s commitment to this critical initiative,” he said.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Information, the “Northeast Visit” concluded with the participation of 2,400 members of the public, including monks, civil servants, students, intellectuals and general citizens.

The visitors were taken to border areas through 11 trips along three routes covering Tbong Khmum, Kratie, Stung Treng, Ratanakkiri and Mondulkiri provinces. The free programme, which offered Cambodian citizens the chance to observe the development along the border and the construction of border infrastructure firsthand, began on September 7 and concluded successfully on December 22.

“The public from all walks of life have cleared their doubts and concerns regarding territorial integrity and national sovereignty after participating in the ‘Northeast Visit’,” the press release stated.