Cambodia Protests Thai Military Actions in What It Calls Occupied Territory

Cambodia Protests Thai Military Actions in What It Calls Occupied Territory

PHNOM PENH, Feb 8, 2026 — Cambodia has lodged what it described as its strongest protest against Thailand over recent military activities in areas Phnom Penh says are occupied Cambodian territory, accusing Thai forces of violating ceasefire commitments and international law.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai armed forces had blocked road access with shipping containers and begun road construction inside Cambodian territory in the provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Pursat.

According to the ministry, Thai troops placed containers at two locations in Oddar Meanchey province on Feb. 5 to obstruct access in O Smach district. Two days later, Thai forces began extending a road from one of the blockade sites. Additional containers were also installed in Veal Veng district of Pursat province on Feb. 7, the statement said.

Cambodia said the locations lie well within its territory as defined by the Franco-Siamese Convention of 1904 and the 1907 Treaty, and that the construction of physical barriers and roads violates de-escalation measures agreed under a joint statement of the third Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on Dec. 27, 2025.

The ministry said the actions hinder the safe and dignified return of displaced Cambodian civilians and amount to an attempt to alter security conditions and create new “facts on the ground” in areas under what it called Thailand’s illegal occupation.

Cambodia said the moves breach fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter.

Despite the protest, Phnom Penh reaffirmed its commitment to resolving border issues with Thailand peacefully and in accordance with international law, while adhering to existing bilateral agreements and the GBC joint statement.