Cambodia Strongly Protests Thai Territorial Infringement

The Cambodian government has once again officially lodged a strong protest against the continued violations of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity by Thailand. The latest incident occurred on September 18, 2026, when Thai armed forces, accompanied by Thai monks, installed a Buddha statue in the Phnom Pheng area of Anlong Veng district, Oddar Meanchey province, between border posts No. 2 and No. 3, after clearing land. The Cambodian government views this action as another instance of Thailand using construction and religious symbols to strengthen its illegal occupation of Cambodian territory. The government strongly protests this act, which it deems a clear violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as defined and demarcated by the 1:200,000 scale map produced by the Franco-Siamese Boundary Commission, in accordance with the French-Siamese Convention of 1904 and the Treaty of 1907. Furthermore, this act of aggression also violates Article 5 of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Royal Government of Thailand on Land Boundary Survey and Demarcation, signed on June 14, 2000. It also infringes upon Point 1 (Measures to Reduce Tension) of the Joint Declaration of the 3rd Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) dated December 27, 2025. The Cambodian government reiterates that Cambodia absolutely does not recognize any unilateral border lines or territorial claims by Thailand, and the aforementioned actions will not affect Cambodia's legitimate rights or interests concerning its international borders. The Cambodian government demands that Thailand immediately cease all such illegal activities and unilateral actions, and work towards de-escalating tensions, promoting mutual trust, and maintaining peace and good neighborliness along the border between the two countries. Cambodia remains committed to resolving border issues with Thailand, as well as with all neighboring countries, through peaceful means in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements, while adhering to its principled stance that border lines shall not be changed by force. Source: CPP Cambodia