Cambodia Protests New Thai Border Incursion, Urges Immediate Withdrawal
Cambodia Protests New Thai Border Incursion, Urges Immediate Withdrawal
PHNOM PENH, 4 July 2026 — Cambodia has lodged another formal diplomatic protest against Thailand, accusing Thai armed forces of installing barbed wire inside Cambodian territory in two border locations and calling for an immediate halt to what it described as continued violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a press release issued on 3 July 2026, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai troops installed barbed wire on 2 July in the Mom Bei area of Preah Vihear province and the Chob Ruan area in Trapeang Prasat district, Oddar Meanchey province.
The Cambodian government said the actions run counter to de-escalation measures agreed under the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on 27 December 2025. It also alleged the actions violate Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2000) between Cambodia and Thailand on the survey and demarcation of the land boundary.
Cambodia urged Thailand to immediately cease such activities, not only in the two locations identified in the protest but also in other areas that Cambodia alleges have been unlawfully occupied by Thai armed forces since last year.
According to the statement, Phnom Penh stressed that de-escalation is essential to rebuilding mutual trust, facilitating the peaceful and lasting settlement of border disputes, and restoring peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
The Cambodian government reiterated that it remains committed to resolving all border disputes with Thailand, as with its other neighbours, exclusively through peaceful means in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements.
The statement also reaffirmed Cambodia’s position that international borders must not be altered through the use of force.
