General Nhek Bun Chhay issues a statement clarifying the location of Cambodia–Thailand border pillars

General Nhek Bun Chhay

On 25 September 2025, General Nhek Bun Chhay, former leader of the Cambodian National Liberation Movement along the Cambodia–Thailand border, issued a statement to inform the national and international public, as well as Cambodians inside and outside the country.

In his statement, he affirmed that he has clear knowledge of the precise locations of the Cambodia–Thailand border markers, starting from Border Marker No. 41 in Chamkar Kor Village up to Border Marker No. 49 near the Poipet Bridge, along with several other markers.

Below is the full content of his statement:

Statement
By General Nhek Bun Chhay, Former Leader of the Cambodian National Liberation Movement Along the Cambodia–Thailand Border

I would like to inform the national and international public, as well as my fellow Cambodians inside and outside the country, of the following:

I am thoroughly familiar with the location of the Cambodia–Thailand boundary pillars, starting clearly from Boundary Pillar 41 at Chamkar Kor Village up to Boundary Pillar 49 near Poipet Bridge, as well as several other boundary pillars, as detailed below:

1. On 1 January 1979, I led 12 Cambodian compatriots from the Nong Samet refugee camp in Aranyaprathet District, Thailand, to establish a position in front of Thailand’s Nong Mak Mun Village near Boundary Pillar 43, founding the National Liberation Army Base. I invited Mr. Kong Silas, a former naval commander of the Khmer Republic who came from France, to lead this liberation movement.

2. On 5 May 1979, Mr. Kong Silas and I led 300 troops to establish another National Liberation Base in front of Thailand’s Nong Samet Village, west of Sdok Kak Temple, near Boundary Pillar 42. This base was known as “New Camp,” “Camp 007,” or “Rithi Sen Camp.”

3. On 27 June 1979, Mr. Kong Silas and I led 450 troops to form another National Liberation Base in front of Thailand’s Khok Sung Village, between Boundary Pillars 42 and 43. This became known as “Khok Sung Camp.” Thai forces fired several artillery shells at the camp, killing around 60 civilians who had gathered there to collect rice and supplies from the United Nations, and injuring hundreds more.

4. On 8 August 1979, Mr. Kong Silas and I led 500 troops to establish yet another National Liberation Base in front of Thailand’s Nong Chan Village. I deployed forces along the eastern bank of O’ Russei Stream, while Mr. Kong Silas set up camp at Tuol Prey Preah Phnov, about two kilometers inside Cambodian territory from O’ Russei Stream.

5. Thai troops dug dams and canals along the Cambodia–Thailand border from Boundary Pillar 41 to Boundary Pillar 49. From my own observations, there are irregularities in these areas where Thailand has encroached upon Cambodia’s territorial integrity. I hope that this issue will be justly resolved through the Cambodia–Thailand Border Commissions at all levels — RBC, GBC, and JBC — for the benefit of Cambodia and its people.

6. On 31 January 1983, I, Nhek Bun Chhay, led 800 troops to establish a base at Ta Tum, near Boundary Pillars 7, 8, and 9, which I know the locations clearly. I also know well the locations of Boundary Pillars 12, 13, and 14 at O’ Smach Base, as well as Boundary Pillar 21 near Ta Krabei Temple, Boundary Pillar 22 near Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk’s resting place in Santhipheap Village, and Thmor Don.

Based on my knowledge of these boundary pillars, I, Nhek Bun Chhay, am prepared to provide recommendations to the Cambodia–Thailand RBC, GBC, and JBC at any necessary time to help safeguard Cambodia’s territorial integrity.

7. From my observations, Thai military forces have repeatedly violated Cambodia’s sovereignty by using a 1:50,000 scale map drawn unilaterally, seizing Cambodian land in several locations along the border. This practice has continued to the present day.

To defend our territorial integrity and protect the property of our people from illegal encroachment by Thai forces, I make the following appeals to all Cambodians, inside and outside the country:

1. Unite in solidarity to support the Royal Government of Cambodia, led by Samdech Moha Bovor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister, in resisting Thai aggression and encroachment upon Cambodia’s sovereignty.

2. I call upon my former comrades-in-arms in the National Liberation Movement — whether still residing in Cambodia or abroad — who once stood with me in those areas, and who know clearly the locations of the boundary pillars, to cooperate by providing information, related documents, or personal photographs that include the above-mentioned boundary markers, in order to strengthen the body of evidence.

3. I also appeal to Cambodians everywhere to provide support to our troops stationed along the Cambodia–Thailand border, in whatever form possible, to ensure victory over those who attempt to encroach upon our national territory.

The above statement is respectfully submitted for the high attention of all my compatriots.