Cambodia Strongly Protests Thailand's Unauthorized Entry into Border Area

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong diplomatic protest against Thailand's actions of bringing ASEAN observers and Thai and foreign journalists into the O'Smach area without permission, considering such acts as illegal and an exercise of Thai administrative power over Cambodian territory. Cambodia's reaction and diplomatic protest came after Thai Air Force Commander Gen. Prapas Sornchaidee led a group of ASEAN observers based in Thailand, along with Thai and foreign journalists, to inspect several buildings located southeast of the Royal O'Smach Hotel and a resort in O'Smach commune, Oddar Meanchey province, on September 7. These locations have been illegally occupied by Thai armed forces since December 2025. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized, "Entry into these locations without permission is equivalent to an illegal act of exercising Thai administrative power over Cambodian territory. Cambodia absolutely rejects any attempt to violate Cambodian territory under the pretext of suppressing crimes." The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that such military actions by Thailand, which violate Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, contravene the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on Demarcation and Delimitation of the Land Border and the Joint Declaration of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) dated December 27, 2025. In that declaration, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to entrust the Joint Border Commission (JBC) with the task of rapidly proceeding with the demarcation and boundary pillar erection work in accordance with existing agreements between the two countries. Political geography expert Dr. Yong Pov asserted that Thailand's action of bringing Thai and foreign journalists, as well as ASEAN observers based in Thailand (AOT), to inspect casinos in Cambodia's O'Smach area is a grave violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and international law. He stated that foreign journalists and AOT must understand this issue clearly and should not participate in illegal acts organized by Thailand on Cambodian territory. Concurrently, Dr. Yong Pov urged foreign journalists and ASEAN observers in Thailand who visited Cambodia's O'Smach area to be cautious in expressing their views or disseminating their information, as what they witnessed was merely what Thailand had orchestrated to tarnish Cambodia's reputation. Meanwhile, political geography expert Dr. Chey Tech opined that Thailand leading a group of ASEAN observers (AOT) and journalists to casinos in the O'Smach area, which is Cambodian territory seized by Thai military force, is illogical and cannot be fact-checked. Dr. Chey Tech questioned why Thailand, if truly seeking truth and being sincere with its neighbors, does not utilize existing legal channels and mechanisms to verify and confirm the facts. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that Cambodia absolutely does not recognize any unilateral border lines or territorial claims by Thailand. The illegal activities of Thailand bringing ASEAN observers and journalists to the O'Smach area will not affect Cambodia's legal rights or its stance regarding its international borders. The Royal Government of Cambodia demands that Thailand cease all illegal activities and seek peaceful solutions to resolve conflicts and restore peace. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Cambodia remains committed to resolving border issues peacefully with Thailand and all neighboring countries, in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements, while upholding its principled stance that border lines should not be changed by force. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local