Cambodia Warns Diplomats Thai Occupation Beyond Claimed Boundary Continues
Cambodia Warns Diplomats Thai Occupation Beyond Claimed Boundary Continues
PHNOM PENH, 6 July 2026 – Cambodia has told diplomats and international organisations that Thailand has yet to fulfil commitments made under bilateral ceasefire arrangements, while reaffirming that all land and maritime boundary disputes must be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law and existing agreements.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation made the remarks in a press release following a diplomatic briefing held on 3 July, during which Acting Foreign Minister Eat Sophea briefed 42 ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations in Phnom Penh on the latest developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
During the briefing, Permanent Secretary of State for Border Affairs Ith Sotha presented what Cambodia described as the internationally recognised boundary established under the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Treaty. He compared it with Thailand’s unilaterally drawn boundary line and raised concerns over what Cambodia described as continued reinforcement of Thai military positions beyond Thailand’s claimed boundary.
Eat Sophea recalled the de-escalation measures agreed in the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee, signed on 27 December 2025. She said one of the key commitments was the early resumption of survey and demarcation work by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), with priority given to areas where civilians live, allowing displaced residents to return home and resume their livelihoods.
However, Cambodia said that since Thailand’s new government took office earlier this year, there has been no indication that Bangkok has taken steps to implement those commitments. The ministry also alleged that unlawful activities in occupied areas have continued without interruption.
The acting foreign minister underscored the role of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) in supporting implementation of the ceasefire and expressed Cambodia’s appreciation to Malaysia and the Philippines for leading the mechanism in their respective capacities as the previous and current ASEAN chairs.
Cambodia also reiterated its commitment to resolving both land and maritime boundary issues with Thailand through peaceful means based on international law, bilateral treaties and existing agreements.
The ministry said Cambodia remains confident that continued adherence to international legal principles and constructive dialogue will help achieve a fair, lasting and mutually beneficial settlement, while promoting peace, stability and good neighbourly relations between the two countries.
