Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Violating Sovereignty With Border Visit

Cambodia Accuses Thailand of Violating Sovereignty With Border Visit

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 3, 2026 — Cambodia has lodged a strong formal protest with Thailand over what it said was an unauthorized field visit led by the Thai Army’s chief of intelligence inside Cambodian territory, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, a group of foreign military attachés and law enforcement officials, led by the Thai intelligence chief, conducted a visit on Feb. 2 to two hotels in O Smach district, Oddar Meanchey province, without the consent of the Cambodian government.

Phnom Penh said the sites are located about 397 meters from the O Smach international checkpoint near border pillar No. 15, in an area Cambodia says was taken by force and occupied by Thai armed forces during military operations between Dec. 7 and Dec. 27, 2025.

The ministry said the visit constituted a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, accusing Thai forces of attempting to exercise sovereignty and legitimize their presence in what Cambodia considers its sovereign territory.

Cambodia said it “categorically rejects” the operation, describing it as contrary to the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter.

Despite the protest, Phnom Penh reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all boundary disputes with Thailand through peaceful means and in accordance with international law, while insisting that borders must not be altered by force, the ministry said.