Cambodia Protests Thai Sovereignty Violations

The Royal Government of Cambodia has lodged another strong protest against Thailand’s continued violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in areas illegally occupied by Thai forces since December 2025. According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued on Tuesday evening, Thai armed forces on Aug. 31 demolished two Cambodian civilian houses in the Boeung Trakoun area of Trapeang Samraong village, Kork Romeat commune, Thmar Puok district, Banteay Meanchey province. They subsequently levelled the ground and constructed an earthen embankment as groundwork for a permanent military structure. From Sept. 1 to 3, Thai forces deployed heavy machinery to construct military bunkers near O’Khla Khmum Pagoda in O’Smach, Samraong city, Oddar Meanchey province. They also used machinery to drill a well in Chouk Chey village, O’Beichoan commune, O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, from Sept. 4 to 7, and on Sept. 7 demolished Cambodian civilian structures in Prey Chan village in the same commune and district. The Ministry also said that on Sept. 7, Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee of Thailand led an ASEAN Observer Team in Thailand (AOT-TH), accompanied by Thai and foreign media, to view buildings southeast of the Royal O’Smach Hotel and Resort in O’Smach, Oddar Meanchey province. The buildings have been illegally occupied by Thai forces since December 2025. “This unauthorised visit amounts to unlawful assertion of Thai administrative authority over Cambodian territory. Cambodia rejects the use of crime-fighting as a pretext for territorial violation,” the press release emphasised. The Ministry said the abovementioned activities violated Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding between Cambodia and Thailand on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary and the Dec. 27, 2025 Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC). Under the GBC Joint Statement, both sides agreed to refer the issue to the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to resume survey and demarcation work at the earliest, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements. Cambodia reiterated that it does not accept any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand, stressing that the reported activities would not prejudice its legal rights or position concerning the international boundary. The Royal Government called on Thailand to cease such actions, honour its commitment to de-escalation, strengthen mutual trust and facilitate peaceful settlement of disputes in order to restore peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations along the border. Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all boundary disputes with Thailand exclusively through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements, while maintaining that international borders must not be changed by force. By C. Nika