Cambodia doubles down on bid to spotlight Thai occupation

Diplomats and members of international organisations inspect the conditions in the villages of Sueng and Prey Chan. KT/Khem Sovannara

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Synopsis: Cambodian authorities present proof of encroachment following the December ceasefire, while ASEAN Chair, the Philippines confirms consultations aimed at sustaining peace.

Cambodia has intensified diplomatic, humanitarian and regional engagements while exposing the illegal occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai forces, as ASEAN moves forward with mediation initiatives, border demarcation proposals and help for displaced civilians.

During a visit by foreign diplomats, UN agencies and international organisations to Banteay Meanchey province on Monday, Cambodian authorities presented evidence of territorial occupation following the December 27 ceasefire, while ASEAN Chair, the Philippines confirmed consultations aimed at sustaining peace and strengthening monitoring mechanisms along the border.

The visit, led by Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Eat Sophea, brought foreign envoys to Chouk Chey village, Prey Chan village and the Boeung Trakuon area, where provincial authorities said Thai forces had destroyed civilian homes, altered natural terrain and installed shipping containers and barbed wire inside Cambodian territory.

Banteay Meanchey Provincial Governor Oum Reatrey told the delegation that Thai troops occupied approximately 760 hectares across three locations after the ceasefire, creating what authorities described as a “fait accompli” situation.

According to the governor, Thai soldiers installed barbed wire and 16 shipping containers at four locations in Chouk Chey village, occupying about 137 hectares of Cambodian land.

In Prey Chan village, 63 containers were reportedly placed at three sites covering 42 hectares, while in the Boeung Trakuon area—comprising four villages—Thai troops occupied 584 hectares after installing 26 containers at 13 locations.

Local authorities said the situation has prevented roughly 11,250 residents from returning home after houses were damaged or access routes blocked.

The government has repeatedly said that it will not recognise attempts to alter internationally recognised borders through force. Prime Minister Hun Manet previously said Thai forces had moved deep into Cambodian territory beyond maps unilaterally drawn by Thailand without international recognition.

The Philippines, serving as ASEAN Chair for 2026, confirmed that regional diplomatic efforts are underway to reinforce ceasefire implementation and support long-term stability. Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo said consultations had already begun between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.

“The Philippines has commenced consultations with both countries with a view to enhancing the capability of the AOT to help maintain the ceasefire,” she said.

She added that ASEAN aims to create diplomatic space for bilateral dialogue while supporting regional stability. “And in the process, allow the time and space for bilateral mechanisms to obtain for both countries, our ASEAN neighbours, a durable peace,” she said.

Ambassador Mayo noted that a recent visit by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr formed part of ASEAN’s consultation process.

“Now, you know that the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was here recently on a visit. And that was part of our consultation process and gathering inputs from both sides of the border to make the TOR of the AOT more effective,” she continued.

Alongside diplomatic efforts, Cambodian authorities have expanded humanitarian assistance for displaced civilians.

Provincial officials are coordinating the issuance of IDPoor cards to families sheltering at Chansy Samakki Ratanaram Pagoda safety centre in Koub commune, O’Chrov district, enabling access to social protection benefits and livelihood support.

Approximately 3,000 displaced families, mostly from Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages, remain at the site after homes were damaged and access roads were blocked by barbed wire and containers installed near affected border areas.

According to the Ministry of Interior, more than 651,000 civilians have been displaced by the border situation, with 65,174 people— including 34,388 women and 21,793 children—still unable to return home as of February 24.

Authorities said displacement persists due to what Cambodia describes as Thailand’s creation of “fait accompli” conditions inside Cambodian sovereign territory despite the ceasefire agreement, which commits both sides to allow civilians to return safely and without obstruction.

Meanwhile, Cambodia has formally proposed resuming technical border demarcation work while lodging a strong diplomatic protest against alleged incursions.

According to the State Secretariat of Border Affairs (SSBA), Cambodia’s Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary submitted a new Note Verbale to Thailand proposing the deployment of Joint Survey Teams between March 1 and 7 to reinstall temporary markers between Boundary Pillars No. 42–47 in Banteay Meanchey and No. 52–59 in Battambang province.

Further joint surveys were proposed between March 8 and 15 covering sensitive areas including Boeung Trakuon, Thmor Da International Point of Entry, O’Phluk Domrei and other contested locations.

Cambodia also proposed convening operational and technical meetings in early March followed by a special Joint Boundary Commission meeting.

At the same time, Cambodia issued a strong protest against activities including drone flights, installation of barbed wire, road and trench construction, placement of containers, canal digging and actions preventing Cambodian citizens from returning home, describing them as “grave violations of international law, the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, the MOU 2000, the Agreed Minutes of the JBC meetings and other agreements mutually agreed upon by both sides.”

The SSBA stressed that Cambodia “will not recognise any alteration of the boundary line resulting from the use of force” while reaffirming readiness to pursue peaceful solutions through joint demarcation.

The Ministry of National Defence yesterday rejected accusations circulated by Thai military media alleging that Cambodian forces fired a 40mm grenade toward a Thai patrol position in Preah Vihear province.

Ministry spokesperson Lieutenant General Maly Socheata said the allegation was false and called on the Thai side to stop disseminating misleading reports that could increase tensions.

Military Region 4 confirmed that Cambodian and Thai military coordination teams communicated immediately after explosions were reportedly heard on the Thai side and clarified that Cambodian forces had not conducted any firing activity.

The ministry reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to implementing bilateral agreements, including outcomes of the Third Extraordinary Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee on December 27, 2025, and the Joint Peace Agreement signed on October 26, 2025.

It also urged the public and media organisations to rely only on verified official information and avoid sharing unconfirmed reports.

-Khmer Times-
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PHOTO:

1- Diplomats and members of international organisations inspect the conditions in the villages of Sueng and Prey Chan. KT/Khem Sovannara
2- The Thai army has blocked access to Cambodian villages with barbed-wire and container barricades. KT/Khem Sovanarra