Cambodia lodges strong protest over Thai military activities in border areas

Cambodia lodges strong protest over Thai military activities in border areas

#National

Cambodia has formally lodged its strongest protest against what it described as illegal activities by Thai armed forces in areas the Kingdom says lie well within its sovereign territory, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) said on Saturday.

In a press release issued today the ministry condemned the placement of shipping containers and the construction of roads by Thai forces in parts of Oddar Meanchey and Pursat provinces, actions Phnom Penh says violate existing border agreements and undermine recent de-escalation efforts.

According to the MFAIC, Thai armed forces on February 5 placed containers to block road access at two locations in Oddar Meanchey province — Rouch Champey Village and O Khla Khmum Village in O Smach district. Two days later, on February 7, Thai forces reportedly began constructing a road extending from the container blockade site in O Khla Khmum Village.

Similar actions were reported in Pursat province, where Thai armed forces allegedly placed additional containers in Thmor Da commune, Veal Veng district, on February 7.

The Cambodian government said all the affected locations are situated within Cambodian territory as delimited under the Franco-Siamese Convention of 1904 and the Treaty of 1907. It added that the areas have been occupied by Thai forces following an offensive conducted between December 7 and December 27, 2025.

The ministry said the construction of physical barriers and roads in these areas directly contravenes de-escalation measures agreed under Item I of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) held on December 27, 2025.

Phnom Penh warned that such actions obstruct the safe and dignified return of displaced Cambodian civilians to their homes and properties and represent an attempt to alter the security situation and create “new realities on the ground” in areas under what it described as Thailand’s illegal occupation. The ministry further said these moves run counter to the fundamental principles of both the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter.

Despite the protest, Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all border-related issues through peaceful means, in line with international law. The ministry said the Kingdom will continue to strictly adhere to the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special GBC Meeting and other relevant bilateral agreements in seeking a durable and peaceful resolution to the dispute.

-Khmer Times-