Cambodia Lodges Protest Over Thai-Escorted AOT Mission

Cambodia Lodges Protest Over Thai-Escorted AOT Mission

PHNOM PENH, 2 July 2026 — Cambodia’s armed forces have lodged a formal protest with the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines over what they described as an unauthorised incursion by members of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) assigned to Thailand, who were allegedly escorted by Thai armed forces into Cambodian territory.

In a protest letter, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Gen. Vong Pisen expressed serious concern over an incident on June 26, when members of the Thailand-based AOT, accompanied by Thai military personnel, allegedly crossed into Cambodian territory near Khnar Temple in Koun Kriel commune, Samraong city, Oddar Meanchey province, without prior notification or coordination with Cambodian authorities.

According to the Cambodian military, the group subsequently carried out a tree-planting activity after entering the area without authorisation. Cambodia said it has consistently notified Thai authorities at all relevant levels before conducting any activities involving the ASEAN observer mechanism.

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces said the actions were inconsistent with the principles of neutrality, confidence-building and mutual respect that underpin the ASEAN Observer Team mechanism.

Gen. Vong Pisen called on the ASEAN observer leadership to review the incident and ensure all AOT personnel strictly comply with the agreed terms of reference while maintaining the neutrality expected of the mission. He said adherence to those principles was essential to preserving mutual trust and ensuring the observer mechanism continues to serve its intended role of reducing tensions and promoting confidence between the two sides.