Cambodia Protests Thai Border Encroachments, Demands De-escalation

PHNOM PENH, July 11, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has lodged a formal protest against what it called continued violations of its sovereignty by Thai military forces along the frontier, urging Bangkok to halt activities and help de‑escalate tensions, officials said Saturday. In a statement late Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thai troops carried out a series of incursions between July 5 and 9 in Oddar Meanchey province, including earthworks and barbed‑wire installations near Boundary Pillars No. 14 and No. 22. Phnom Penh said the actions amounted to “a clear violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” under maps prepared by the 1904 Franco‑Siamese Convention and the 1907 Treaty. The ministry added they breached Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on boundary demarcation and commitments made at the December 2025 General Border Committee meeting. The government stressed it does not recognize Thailand’s unilateral boundary claims and said the activities would not affect Cambodia’s legal position. It called on Bangkok to cease all such operations, including in areas it says have been unlawfully occupied since last year. Stopping the incursions is vital to reducing tensions, rebuilding trust and restoring peace and stability along the border, the statement said. Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to resolve boundary issues peacefully under international law, insisting international borders “must not be changed by force.”