(Phnom Penh): The Royal Government Spokesperson wishes to inform the general public that on 15 October 2025, some Thai media outlets cited the statement by Thai military officials asserting that “the area where Thai soldiers have stepped upon is Thai territory”. This assertion referred to Prey Chan and Chouk Chey villages, Ou Beichuan commune, Ou Chrov district, and Banteay Meanchey province, where the Thai military forces had unilaterally laid barbed wire since 13 August 2025, and subsequently bulldozed the area and conducted mine clearance operations.

The Royal Government Spokesperson wishes to underscore that the border between Cambodia and Thailand is an international boundary between states, as established by the 1904 Convention and the 1907 Treaty; this includes the 1:200,000 scale map, as well as the 74 recognized boundary pillars installed over a century ago. This borderline holds legal validity and is safeguarded under the provisions of the United Nations Charter as well as international laws, which cannot be unilaterally altered by either party.

The Royal Government Spokesperson stresses that the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), formed through agreements between Cambodia and Thailand, has the mandate to survey and demarcate the border of the two countries. Until the JBC completes its survey and demarcation work, Cambodia is committed to resolving the issues through peaceful means based on treaties, existing bilateral agreements, and international laws. Cambodia demands that Thailand respect these agreements and that both sides await the JBC to resolve the border issues, as well as avoid any provocations that could escalate tensions.

The Royal Government Spokesperson assures the general public that the Royal Government of Cambodia maintains its firm position vis-à-vis its territorial integrity and does not accept any unilateral claims by the Thai military forces, since the army does not have the authority to determine the borderline between countries; and furthermore, such a Thai unilateral declaration does not hold any legal validity.

While the Royal Government of Cambodia exercises its utmost restraint in implementing the ceasefire agreement in order to prevent the renewed armed clashes that could cause tremendous destruction to the nation and people on both sides, the Royal Government of Cambodia reserves its rights to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with conventions, treaties, and international laws.
=FRESH NEWS