Cambodia Protests Thai Military Actions Near Border Pillars 14 and 22

Cambodia Protests Thai Military Actions Near Border Pillars 14 and 22

PHNOM PENH, 11 July 2026 — The Royal Government of Cambodia has lodged a strong protest against what it described as continued violations of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by Thai armed forces, following fresh military activities along the border in Oddar Meanchey province.

In a press release issued on July 10, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai forces carried out a series of activities near Boundary Pillars No. 14 and No. 22 between July 5 and 9.

According to the ministry, Thai armed forces excavated earth to construct an embankment and installed barbed wire running north and south of Boundary Pillar No. 14 in O Smach, Samraong City, between July 5 and 7.

The Cambodian government further alleged that on July 9, Thai forces encroached on Cambodian territory and laid barbed wire in the area of Boundary Pillar No. 22 in Thmor Daun village, Kork Morn commune, Banteay Ampil district.

Cambodia described the activities as clear violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, citing the 1:200,000-scale maps produced by the Commissions of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam under the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Treaty.

The government also said the alleged actions breached Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding between Cambodia and Thailand on the survey and demarcation of the land boundary.

According to the statement, the activities also violated de-escalation measures contained in the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee, signed on December 27, 2025.

Cambodia reiterated that it does not recognise any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand.

The government stressed that the latest activities would not prejudice Cambodia’s legal rights or position concerning its international boundary.

Cambodia called on Thailand to immediately cease the activities in the areas concerned, as well as in other areas it said have been unlawfully occupied by Thai forces since last year.

The government said ending such activities was necessary to de-escalate tensions, rebuild mutual trust and facilitate the peaceful settlement of disputes while restoring peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

Cambodia also reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all boundary disputes with Thailand exclusively through peaceful means and in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements.

However, the government maintained its position that international borders must not be changed through the use of force.

“Cambodia remains committed to resolving all boundary disputes with Thailand, as with all its neighbours, exclusively through peaceful means, in line with international law and existing bilateral agreements, while firmly upholding its principled position that borderlines must not be changed by force,” the statement said.