Cambodia Demands Thailand Halt Border Activities, Cites Unilateral Actions in Sovereign Territory

The Secretariat of the Cambodia-Thailand Regional Border Committee (RBC) for the Cambodian 4th Military Region has formally requested its Thai counterpart, the Thai 2nd Army Region, to cease unilateral activities along the border, particularly construction and barbed wire placement in un-demarcated areas. This demand was conveyed during an informal bilateral meeting held this morning. The meeting took place at the Choam-Sangam International Border Checkpoint in Anlong Veng district, Oddar Meanchey province, with Brigadier General Nith Narong, Head of the Cambodian RBC Secretariat, leading the Cambodian delegation, and Major General Kampanat Waphansu, Head of the Thai RBC Secretariat, heading the Thai side. The Cambodian delegation welcomed the periodic coordination between the two secretariats, noting that such proactive channels are vital for resolving localized issues peacefully and preventing unnecessary border tensions. However, Cambodia firmly requested that the Thai side halt all activities—including land clearing for road construction, geographical expansion, and the laying of barbed wire—in areas within Cambodian sovereign territory as well as sectors where demarcation remains incomplete. According to a press release from the Ministry of National Defence, Cambodia "emphasised the urgent necessity to commence the demarcation work of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) as soon as possible, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and the Joint Statement dated December 27, 2025." Furthermore, regarding recent security incidents involving gunfire and explosions, Cambodia called for a diligent verification process to eliminate misunderstandings and urged the implementation of concrete operational measures to guarantee that such incidents do not recur or lead to further escalation. Cambodia also requested Thailand to cooperate in enforcing discipline by educating and monitoring frontline forces to eliminate provocative actions, including weapon discharges, unauthorized barbed wire placement, and inappropriate rhetoric. Additionally, it called for joint efforts to suppress the spread of fake news and inciting content designed to stoke cross-border resentment, thereby fostering mutual trust. The Cambodian side reaffirmed its strict and full adherence to the framework established by the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) dated Dec. 27, 2025, and the Joint Declaration on the Cambodia-Thailand Peace Agreement dated Oct. 26, 2025. Cambodia reiterated its commitment to pursuing a peaceful, fair, and sustainable resolution in strict accordance with international law and existing bilateral treaties.