Cambodian Senate Rejects Thai Claims, Says Ceasefire Cannot Legitimize Territorial Occupation
Chhiv Yiseang, Chairman of the Cambodian Senate Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Information
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 6, 2026 — Cambodia’s Senate Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Information has rejected what it described as “baseless allegations” by a Thai Senate advisory body, insisting that a ceasefire cannot be used to legitimize territorial occupation or create new territorial rights.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Chhiv Yiseang, Chairman of the Cambodian Senate Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Information, categorically rejected a statement made on September 2 by Senator Nophadol In-na, Chairman of the Thai Senate Advisory Commission on Foreign Affairs.
The Cambodian Senate commission said Cambodia’s sovereignty over its territory is legally anchored in historical international treaties and accused Thailand of continuing forward military deployments and aerial incursions, which it said violate international law, the UN Charter and established bilateral protocols.
Ceasefire does not grant sovereignty
The Cambodian commission rejected the use of the December 27, 2025 Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) as a justification for Thailand’s current troop positions.
It argued that a temporary ceasefire framework cannot be selectively used to legitimize what Cambodia considers an unlawful military occupation, create new territorial rights or consolidate a unilateral fait accompli on the ground.
The commission said boundary lines in disputed or unsurveyed areas must be settled through established bilateral treaties and peaceful diplomatic mechanisms, rather than through continued military deployments.
Cambodia rejects “fired first” narrative
The Senate commission also rejected what it described as Thailand’s claim that Cambodia initiated the 2025 border clashes.
According to the Cambodian statement, Thailand has made “unsubstantiated” claims that Cambodia fired first while allegedly using issues such as transnational crime and online scams as a justification for military action, including alleged violations of Cambodian airspace and encroachment on Cambodian territory.
Cambodia called for an independent, internationally verified forensic assessment to establish which side fired first and whether civilian communities were targeted.
Displaced civilians
The Cambodian Senate commission also disputed Thailand’s characterization of more than 20,000 displaced Cambodian civilians as “encroachers.”
It said the civilians should be regarded as internally displaced persons uprooted by recent localized border instability and argued that they retain the right to return safely and with dignity to their lands and homes.
The statement accused Thailand of pursuing what it called a “salami-slicing strategy” through unauthorized patrols and forced civilian displacement, and called for Thai troops to withdraw.
Cambodia defends parliamentary diplomacy
The commission further rejected calls for Cambodia to remain silent and avoid “internationalizing” the bilateral dispute.
It said the use of regional and international parliamentary forums is a peaceful, transparent and legitimate diplomatic mechanism through which Cambodia can inform the international community about developments on the ground.
The statement stressed that genuine bilateral trust cannot be built through words alone and called for Thailand to respect international law and the historical boundaries associated with the Franco-Siamese Convention of 1904 and the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907.
The Cambodian Senate commission reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful dispute settlement and regional stability, while calling for diplomacy based on mutual trust, transparency and respect for established treaties.
