Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Consolidating “Illegal Occupation” Along Border

Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Consolidating “Illegal Occupation” Along Border

PHNOM PENH, 10 Aug 2026 — The Royal Government of Cambodia has lodged another formal protest against what it describes as continued violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by Thailand along the border.

In a press release dated August 10, 2026, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai armed forces had continued constructing new military bunkers in the area of the Thmor Da International Border Checkpoint in Thmor Da Commune, Veal Veng District, Pursat Province.

Cambodia also protested a plan announced by the Thai government on August 7 to extend Thailand’s national power grid to areas around Ta Krabey Temple and Hill 333, describing the activities as attempts to consolidate what it called Thailand’s “unlawful occupation” of Cambodian territory.

The Cambodian government said the activities violate Thailand’s obligations under existing bilateral treaties and agreements concerning the demarcation of the Cambodia-Thailand land boundary.

Cambodia reaffirms territorial position

Cambodia reiterated that the areas mentioned in the statement are located entirely within Cambodian sovereign territory, as defined and delimited by the 1:200,000-scale maps produced by the Commissions of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam under the Franco-Siamese Convention of 1904 and Treaty of 1907.

Phnom Penh also said the reported activities breach Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2000) on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary, as well as Item 1 on de-escalation measures under the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025.

The government stressed that it does not accept any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand and said activities on the ground would not prejudice Cambodia’s legal rights or position concerning the international boundary.

Cambodia calls for immediate halt

Cambodia called on Thailand to immediately cease such activities in the areas identified, as well as in other areas that Cambodia says have been unlawfully occupied by Thai armed forces since last year.

The statement said halting the activities would help de-escalate tensions, build mutual trust and facilitate a peaceful settlement of the border dispute, while restoring peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations.

Cambodia reaffirmed that it remains committed to resolving its boundary disputes with Thailand exclusively through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements.

It also reiterated its position that international borders must not be changed through the use of force.