Cambodia Protests Thai Border Fortifications, Demands Halt to Post-Ceasefire Military Works

Cambodia has lodged a fresh diplomatic protest against Thailand, accusing its armed forces of carrying out new military engineering works inside Cambodian territory. It described the activities as violating the two countries’ ceasefire commitments and undermining efforts to peacefully resolve the long-running border dispute. In a July 10 press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the Royal Government had formally protested Thailand’s “persistent violations” of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, citing two recent incidents in Oddar Meanchey province. According to the ministry, between July 5 and 7, Thai troops excavated earth to construct an embankment and installed razor wire running north to south of Boundary Pillar No. 14 in O’Smach commune, Samraong town. It also alleged that on July 9, Thai armed forces crossed into Cambodian territory to lay additional razor wire near Boundary Pillar No. 22 in Thmor Daun village, Kok Mon commune, Banteay Ampil district. The Cambodian ministry asserted that these activities constituted clear violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as defined under the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Treaty, based on the internationally recognised 1:200,000-scale boundary maps. The ministry also argued that the works breached Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary, as well as Points 2 and 6 of the de-escalation measures contained in the Joint Statement adopted during the Third Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025. “The Royal Government of Cambodia reiterates that it does not recognise any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand,” it said. It added that the alleged construction activities would “not prejudice the legal rights or position of the Kingdom of Cambodia regarding its international boundary”. Cambodia called on Thailand to immediately cease such activities not only at the two locations identified in the latest protest, but also in “any other areas unlawfully occupied by Thai forces since last year”, saying this would help reduce tensions, rebuild mutual trust and facilitate the peaceful settlement of disputes. The government reiterated that Cambodia remains committed to resolving all boundary issues with Thailand exclusively through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements, while maintaining that internationally recognised borders “must not be changed by force”. The latest protest is part of a series of diplomatic complaints lodged by Phnom Penh, over what it describes as continued Thai military activities in border areas following the December 2025 ceasefire. Cambodian authorities have previously accused Thai forces of reinforcing positions through the installation of razor wire and shipping container barricades, as well as the construction of infrastructure like roads and fences. Earlier protests also alleged the construction of Buddha statues and other infrastructure inside territory claimed by Cambodia. The latest allegations follow a diplomatic note from earlier this month concerning razor wire installations in the Mom Bei area of Preah Vihear province and Chob Roun in Oddar Meanchey. Cambodia has increasingly accused Thailand of expanding military fortifications despite the ceasefire agreement.