Cambodia Says Ceasefire Cannot Create New Border or Legitimize Territorial Occupation

Cambodia Says Ceasefire Cannot Create New Border or Legitimize Territorial Occupation

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 8, 2026 — Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said on September 8 that the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire means no advance, no creation of new facts on the ground and no establishment of new border lines, arguing that a ceasefire cannot turn territory allegedly occupied by force into the lawful territory of the occupying side.

In a message addressing the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border situation, Neth Pheaktra said the principle was consistent not only with Cambodia’s position but also with the Joint Statement of the Third Special General Border Committee (GBC) signed on December 27, 2025.

Under the joint statement, the ceasefire took effect at noon on December 27, with both sides agreeing to maintain their existing troop deployments without further movement. The document also explicitly states that the arrangements under the statement are without prejudice to the border demarcation and international boundary between Cambodia and Thailand.

Neth Pheaktra argued that maintaining troop positions was a temporary military measure intended to stop fighting and did not constitute recognition of sovereignty over the territory where troops were stationed.

He accused Thai forces of subsequently advancing into areas Cambodia considers its territory and of strengthening positions through measures including barbed wire, containers, trenches, roads and military fortifications. Cambodia has repeatedly raised similar allegations, while Thailand has rejected allegations of violations and said its forces are complying with the December 27 agreement.

The Cambodian minister stressed that the joint statement must be read as a whole rather than selectively. He pointed to provisions requiring both sides to avoid provocative actions and to refrain from constructing or enhancing military infrastructure or fortifications beyond their respective sides.

“The freezing of troop positions is not the freezing of sovereignty. Troop positions are not borders. Effective control is not legal ownership,” Neth Pheaktra said in his message.

He also highlighted the provision allowing civilians in affected border areas to return to their homes and normal livelihoods without obstruction, in safety and dignity. Cambodia argues that restrictions preventing displaced Cambodian civilians from returning home would contradict the spirit and provisions of the ceasefire arrangement.

Neth Pheaktra further argued that Thailand cannot simultaneously claim full compliance with the joint statement while using the provision on maintaining troop positions to establish a new territorial status. He said the agreement specifically prevents its implementation arrangements from prejudicing the international boundary.

The Cambodian minister concluded that a ceasefire is not a title deed to territory, saying troop positions at the moment the ceasefire took effect cannot by themselves determine the location of the international border.

The December 27 agreement provides for the Joint Boundary Commission to resume survey and demarcation work under existing bilateral agreements, underscoring that the ceasefire arrangement itself does not settle the disputed boundary.