Phnom Penh Files New Protest Over Thai Military Actions
Phnom Penh Files New Protest Over Thai Military Actions
PHNOM PENH, 22 July 2026 — Cambodia has lodged a formal diplomatic protest against what it described as continued violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity by Thai military forces, alleging new road construction and other activities in border areas that Phnom Penh says encroach on Cambodian territory.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai armed forces carried out road construction between Boundary Pillars No. 8 and No. 9 in the Ta Tum area of Anlong Veng district, Oddar Meanchey province, between July 13 and 15.
The ministry also alleged that between July 15 and 19, Thai forces continued road construction and installed barbed wire between Boundary Pillars No. 19 and No. 20 in the Chup Doeum Khnol area of Sangkat Kon Kriel, Samraong City, Oddar Meanchey province.
According to the Cambodian government, the activities constitute violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as defined by the 1:200,000-scale maps produced under the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Treaty.
The ministry further said the alleged activities breached Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary and were inconsistent with the Joint Statement issued following the Third Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on Dec. 27, 2025, in which both sides agreed to resume border survey and demarcation work through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
Cambodia reiterated that it does not recognize any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand and said the reported activities would not affect Cambodia’s legal position regarding its international boundary.
The government urged Thailand to cease the activities in the areas concerned, as well as in what Cambodia described as other areas unlawfully occupied by Thai forces since last year, saying such steps would help reduce tensions, build mutual trust and facilitate the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The ministry reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to resolving all boundary disputes with Thailand exclusively through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements, while maintaining its position that international borders must not be altered by force.
