Phnom Penh Shows Foreign Envoys Areas ‘Occupied’ by Thai Troops

Phnom Penh Shows Foreign Envoys Areas ‘Occupied’ by Thai Troops

BANTEAY MEANCHEY, Feb 23, 2026 — Cambodia on Monday escorted diplomats and representatives from 23 foreign embassies and international organizations to inspect border villages where Phnom Penh says Thai troops have installed shipping containers and barbed wire inside Cambodian territory.

Acting Foreign Minister Eat Sophea led the delegation to Chok Chey and Prey Chan villages in Ou Beichoan commune, Ou Chrov district, and the Boeung Trakoun area in Thma Puok district, according to local news reports.

Cambodian authorities allege that Thai forces have continued placing shipping containers, laying barbed wire and raising Thai flags on land Cambodia considers its sovereign territory, despite a ceasefire agreed on Dec. 27, 2025.

Banteay Meanchey provincial governor Oum Reatrey said Thai forces were currently occupying about 760 hectares (1,877 acres) across the three areas.

He said in Chok Chey village, Thai troops had installed 16 containers across four locations, controlling 137 hectares. In Prey Chan village, 63 containers were placed at three sites covering 42 hectares. In the Boeng Trakuon area, which includes four villages, Thai forces were said to control 584 hectares and had positioned 26 containers across 13 sites.

Cambodian officials said more than 3,000 families in the province have been unable to return home, and some houses were demolished during the standoff.

Ambassadors attending in person included representatives from Brunei, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Myanmar, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Canada and the Czech Republic. The European Union and countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Türkiye, Russia, Japan, Germany, India, Laos, Vietnam and the United States sent representatives. International organizations present included the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The visit comes amid heightened tensions along parts of the Cambodia–Thailand border, with Phnom Penh calling for adherence to existing agreements and a peaceful resolution through established boundary mechanisms.

Photos: Fresh News