(Phnom Penh): On the evening of August 26, 2025, Chum Sounry, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, protested against the latest violation by Thai military forces, who encircled Cambodian civilian houses and farmland with barbed wire in Chouk Chey Village, Ou Beichoan Commune, Ou Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province.

Chum Sounry spoke on Tuesday (Aug. 26) during a press conference on the implementation of the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire.

“On 25 August 2025, at 2:20 p.m., Thai soldiers continued to lay barbed wire in Chouk Chey Village, Ou Beichoan Commune, Ou Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province. This marks a new encroachment by the Thai soldiers into Cambodian territory beyond their previous positions on 12 August 2025,” he underscored.

According to the spokesperson, this action constitutes a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and reflects Thailand’s deliberate attempt to escalate tensions into civilian areas. He further warned that such violations could jeopardize the already fragile ceasefire and contradict the agreement reached on 28 July 2025, in Malaysia, as well as the spirit of the Agreed Minutes of the Extraordinary General Border Committee Meeting held on 7 August 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, which was reaffirmed by the recent Regional Border Committee Meeting between Cambodia’s Military Region 5 Command and Thailand’s Chanthaburi–Trat Border Defence Command.

He highlighted that in the 13-point Agreed upon earlier, both sides agreed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions. This includes military activities to enter the other side’s air space and territory or positions as of ceasefire from 24:00 hours (local time) on 28 July 2025. Both sides agreed to refrain from constructing or enhancing any military infrastructure or fortifications beyond their own side.

The spokesperson added that Cambodia calls on Thailand to fully and unconditionally respect all agreements, as well as uphold and implement Article 5 of the 2000 MoU, which prohibits any activities that alter the environment in border areas, except for border pillar demarcation works authorized by the Joint Commission on Land Boundary Demarcation of both countries.
=FRESH NEWS