Cambodia files complaint with Philippines over unauthorised AOT tour of Khnar Temple

Members of the ASEAN Observer Team took part in tree-planting activities at the occupied Khnar Temple, seemingly at the behest of Thai forces. Social media

General Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), has issued a formal letter of complaint to General Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, regarding the activities of the Thai-based ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), who entered the Khnar Temple area in Oddar Meanchey province without Cambodian coordination last week.

The AOT is under the command of current ASEAN chair, the Philippines, while the temple, is currently occupied by Thai forces, who arranged the visit.

“I am deeply concerned by an incident that occurred on June 26, 2026, when members of the AOT based in Thailand, accompanied by Thai armed forces, crossed into Cambodian sovereign territory in the area near Khnar Temple, located in Koun Kriel commune, Samraong town, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, without prior notification or any level of cooperation with the Cambodian side,” said Pisen, in the June 29 letter.

According to the letter, after entering Cambodian sovereign territory without permission, the group proceeded to plant tree saplings in the area, which is clearly within Cambodian sovereignty as shown on the maps attached to the complaint.

Pisen clarified that, in contrast, whenever the Cambodian side guides the AOT on inspections of activities along the border, it consistently notifies the Thai side at all relevant levels.

“The RCAF considers these actions to be entirely inconsistent with the principles of neutrality, trust-building and mutual respect, which are the very foundations of the AOT mechanism,” he said.

“Any activities conducted beyond agreed jurisdictions, particularly in sensitive border areas pose a risk of undermining the hard-earned trust between both parties and could negatively impact ongoing efforts to achieve a peaceful and sustainable resolution to border-related issues,” he added.

Pisen requested that his Filipino counterpart review the aforementioned actions and ensure that all AOT officers adhere to the agreed-upon Terms of Reference (TOR) and maintain the neutrality expected of their mission.

“The RCAF remains committed to continuing close cooperation with the Philippine military and all relevant parties to maintain peace, stability and positive dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand,” he said.

“The RCAF has always supported the implementation of the TOR governing the activities and conduct of the AOT and remains firmly committed to promoting mutual trust with transparency and the peaceful resolution of issues along the Cambodia-Thailand border,” he added.

-Phnom Penh Post-