Cambodia accuses Thai forces of violating sovereignty in An Seh area

Cambodia accuses Thai forces of violating sovereignty in An Seh area

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 5, 2026 — Cambodia has lodged a formal protest against Thailand after Thai armed forces placed containers inside Cambodian territory near the An Seh International Border Checkpoint, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

In a press release, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai forces emplaced three containers on Feb. 3 in An Seh village, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, obstructing access to the checkpoint and altering security conditions in nearby civilian areas.

Phnom Penh said the move constituted a “blatant violation” of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and warned it could create new facts on the ground that undermine de-escalation efforts and delay the safe return of displaced civilians to their homes and properties.

Cambodia said the action amounted to an attempt to consolidate Thailand’s occupation of Cambodian territory and ran counter to de-escalation measures agreed under the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee held on Dec. 27, 2025. It also said the move contravened the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter.

Despite the protest, Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all boundary disputes with Thailand peacefully and in accordance with international law, while maintaining that borders must not be changed by force, the ministry said.