Spokesperson slams Thailand’s media and army claims of encroached land is ‘Thai territory’

The government’s spokesperson issued a statement today refuting reports by certain Thai media outlets quoting a Thai military official as saying that “the area where Thai troops stepped on is Thai territory.”

This claim refers to land located in Prey Chan and Chouk Chey villages, O’Beichoan commune, O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, where Thai forces, on August 13, unilaterally installed barbed wire fences and conducted clearance and demining operations.

The government’s spokesperson stressed that the Cambodia–Thailand border is an international boundary between two sovereign states, defined by the 1904 Convention and 1907 Treaty, along with a 1:200,000-scale map, and 74 boundary pillars that were established more than a century ago. This boundary line carries full legal validity, safeguarded under the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and cannot be altered unilaterally by any party.

The spokesperson explained that the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), established under the bilateral agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, is the only competent mechanism to conduct measurements and demarcate the boundary line between the two countries. Pending the JBC’s completion of this process, Cambodia firmly upholds the peaceful resolution of border issues based on treaties, agreements, and international law.

Cambodia therefore, calls on the Thai side to respect the existing agreements, allowing the JBC to meet and settle the issue peacefully, and to avoid any provocative actions that could further escalate tensions.

The government maintains a resolute stance in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, categorically rejecting any unilateral claims or statements made by Thai military authorities, as they have no authority to determine national boundaries, and such declarations hold no legal validity.

While the government continues to exercise utmost restraint under the ceasefire agreement to prevent armed clashes that could cause serious harm to both nations and peoples, it nonetheless reaffirms its unwavering right to protect and defend Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with the existing conventions, treaties, and international law.
-Khmer Times-