Cambodia Warns Against “Fait Accompli” in Border Dispute

Cambodia Warns Against “Fait Accompli” in Border Dispute

PHNOM PENH, April 3, 2026 — Cambodia has formally protested what it described as unlawful actions by Thai forces in disputed border areas, accusing Bangkok of violating existing agreements and attempting to alter facts on the ground.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai activities between March 31 and April 2 in Chouk Chey village and other areas along the frontier amounted to a unilateral attempt to “create a fait accompli” ahead of ongoing boundary demarcation.

According to Phnom Penh, Thai Burapha forces led groups of civilians to conduct land-ownership verification along a contested stretch between Boundary Pillars 45 and 47, a move Cambodia said prejudges the outcome of work being carried out by the Joint Boundary Commission of both countries.

Cambodia also reported that about 70 Thai military personnel, accompanied by two armored vehicles, were deployed on April 2 at the O Smach International Border Gate, where additional barbed wire was installed. Separately, Thai forces were said to have used heavy machinery for land clearing near another boundary marker in Oddar Meanchey province.

The Cambodian government said the actions were neither defensive nor consistent with commitments under the Joint Statement of the General Border Committee reached in December 2025, which outlined de-escalation measures.

“Such activities clearly contravene existing agreements,” the statement said, adding that Cambodia “neither recognizes nor accepts” any boundary claims unilaterally asserted by Thailand.

Phnom Penh reaffirmed its commitment to resolving border disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, while stressing that territorial boundaries must not be altered by force.

Border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have periodically flared over disputed areas, despite bilateral mechanisms aimed at managing and resolving differences.