AOT Examines Reported Thai Military Activities in O’Smach

AOT Examines Reported Thai Military Activities in O’Smach

PHNOM PENH, 27 August 2026 — The ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH) conducted a field visit to the Cambodia–Thailand border on Thursday to observe, verify and report on the situation in an area of O’Smach, Oddar Meanchey Province, where Cambodia says Thai military forces have occupied territory and carried out construction activities.

The visit, coordinated by the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) and led by the AOT-KH Head of Mission from the Philippines, began at 10:30 a.m. The team inspected the reported deployment of shipping containers, installation of barbed wire, excavation of trenches, and construction of bunkers and roads at the O’Smach International Point of Entry, particularly around a construction workers’ camp in O’Smach Village.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, the activities have prevented many Cambodian families from returning to their homes.

The ministry stressed that the area is inhabited entirely by civilians and alleged that, in December 2025, Thai military forces attacked the location using F-16 fighter jets and various types of artillery, causing extensive destruction and severe damage to civilian homes, property and infrastructure.

The ASEAN Observer Team’s field observation, verification and reporting, Cambodia said, underscore the urgent need for the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to commence border survey and demarcation work as soon as possible.

Cambodia linked the call to Point Four of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC), dated 27 December 2025.

The Cambodian government said implementation of the existing agreements is necessary to ensure that Cambodian civilians can safely, peacefully and with dignity return to their homes without obstruction.

The statement was issued by the Spokeswoman of Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence on 27 August 2026 and is identified as an unofficial translation.