(Phnom Penh): The Royal Government of Cambodia formally lodged another strong protest against Thailand's continued violations of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity in areas illegally occupied by Thai forces since December 2025, according to a press release seen by Fresh News on Wednesday (Sep. 9).
According to the press release, on 31 August 2026, Thai armed forces demolished two Cambodian civilian houses in the Boeung Trakoun area of Trapeang Samraong village, Kork Romeat Commune, Thmar Puok District, Banteay Meanchey Province of Cambodia. Following the demolition, Thai forces used heavy machinery to level the ground and construct an earthen embankment, laying the groundwork for a permanent military structure.
From 1 to 3 September 2026, Thai armed forces dispatched heavy machinery to construct military bunkers in the area of O Khla Khmum pagoda in Sangkat O Smach, Krong Samraong, Oddar Meanchey Province of Cambodia.
From 4 to 7 September 2026, Thai armed forces used machinery to drill a well in Chouk Chey village, O Beichoan Commune, O Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province; and on 7 September 2026, they demolished Cambodian civilian structures in Prey Chan village of the same commune and district.
On 7 September 2026, Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee of Thailand led an ASEAN Observer Team in Thailand (AOT-TH), together with Thai and foreign media, to view buildings situated southeast of the Royal O Smach Hotel and Resort in Sangkat O Smach, Oddar Meanchey Province, which Thai armed forces have illegally occupied since December 2025.
This unauthorized visit amounted to unlawful assertion of Thai administrative authority over Cambodian territory. Cambodia rejected the use of crime-fighting as a pretext for territorial violation.
According to the press release, the abovementioned activities in violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, violated the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary signed on 14 June 2000, and the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on 27 December 2025, in which both sides agreed to refer to the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to resume at the earliest the survey and demarcation work, in accordance with existing agreements between Cambodia and Thailand.
Cambodia reiterated that it does not accept any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand. The aforementioned illegal activities shall not prejudice the legal rights or position of Cambodia with respect to its international boundary.
The Royal Government of Cambodia demanded that Thailand cease such unlawful actions and maintain its commitment to de-escalating the situation, fostering mutual trust, facilitating peaceful settlement of disputes, thereby restoring peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all boundary disputes with Thailand, as with all its neighbours, exclusively through peaceful means, in line with international law and existing bilateral agreements, while firmly upholding its principled position that borderlines must not be changed by force.
=FRESH NEWS
