Cambodia denounces Thai legal action targeting its leadership

Chatcai Bangchuad, secretary-general of the National Security Council

PHNOM PENH, Jan 29, 2026 — Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said on Thursday it had lodged a formal protest against what it described as a hostile legal action taken by a senior Thai official targeting Cambodia’s top leadership.

In a statement, the ministry said the Secretary-General of Thailand’s National Security Council had filed a complaint with a Thai local court in connection with military operations along the Cambodia–Thailand border in 2025.

Cambodia said the move, directed at the President of the Cambodian Senate and the Prime Minister, was counterproductive to ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and ran contrary to the spirit of a joint statement issued after a special meeting of the General Border Committee on Dec 27, 2025.

The ministry said any attempt to initiate domestic legal proceedings against the senior leadership of a sovereign state for actions linked to official duties — particularly those related to national defence and territorial integrity — has no basis under international law.

Cambodia urged Thailand to take corrective measures, warning the legal action could undermine the implementation of ceasefire and de-escalation arrangements and harm efforts to restore confidence and normal relations between the two countries.