Cambodia Rebuffs Thai Border Claims Linked to Scam Crackdown

PHNOM PENH, Sept 7, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said Monday that Thailand cannot use the fight against online scams as a pretext to enter or occupy Cambodian territory, warning that sovereignty and law enforcement are separate issues. Pheaktra urged Thailand to stop citing online scams as justification for its presence in areas Cambodia insists lie within its borders. “Online scams cannot be used as a pretext to enter another sovereign country legally,” he said. His remarks followed reports that Thailand planned to bring ASEAN observers and international journalists to disputed border areas, including O Smach, to “independently verify” claims about scam operations. Pheaktra countered that the first question must be whether the sites are in Thai or Cambodian territory. He stressed that the existence of criminal activity does not give another country’s military the right to cross borders, exercise control or occupy land. Cambodia, he said, continues to cooperate internationally against online scams, but insisted that criminal investigations must be handled through law enforcement cooperation and established mechanisms, not unilateral military action. He rejected suggestions that bringing journalists or observers could legitimize Thailand’s claim, saying reporters must verify not only what they are shown but also where the buildings stand and the legal basis for control. Phnom Penh has repeatedly protested what it describes as Thai military occupation and construction in O Smach since clashes in December 2025. Last week, Cambodia lodged a formal protest over a Thai military helicopter allegedly entering its airspace, calling it a violation of sovereignty and international law. Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful resolution, stressing that international borders cannot be altered through unilateral actions or force.