Cambodia Protests Thailand’s Land Allocation in Chouk Chey
Cambodia Protests Thailand’s Land Allocation in Chouk Chey
PHNOM PENH, August 15, 2026 — Cambodia has formally protested what it described as Thailand’s latest violation of Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity after Thai authorities allocated land to Thai citizens in a disputed border area of Banteay Meanchey province.
According to a statement issued by Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Aug. 14, Thai authorities conducted another round of land allocation on Aug. 13 in Chouk Chey Village, O Bei Choan Commune, O Chrov District, along the border between Boundary Pillars 45 and 47.
Cambodia said the move was an “unlawful administrative action” aimed at legitimising what it considers Thailand’s occupation of Cambodian territory, while undermining the right of Cambodian residents who had been displaced from their homes and farmland in the area to return safely.
The Cambodian government said the activities could also prejudice ongoing border demarcation work by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and breach provisions of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding between Cambodia and Thailand on the survey and demarcation of their land boundary.
Phnom Penh also cited the agreed minutes of a special JBC meeting in October 2025 and de-escalation measures contained in a Dec. 27, 2025 statement of the General Border Committee (GBC).
Cambodia reiterated that it does not recognise any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand, saying such activities would not affect its legal rights or position regarding the international boundary.
The government urged Thailand to halt further activities in Chouk Chey and other areas it considers to have been unlawfully occupied by Thai forces since last year.
Cambodia said it remained committed to resolving all border disputes with Thailand through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements.
It also reaffirmed its position that borderlines must not be changed by force, saying de-escalation and peaceful settlement were necessary to restore peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
