Cambodia has reaffirmed its opposition to Thailand’s unilateral border claims, accusing Thai forces of breaching bilateral agreements by conducting activities inside Cambodian territory. On June 27, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement alleging that Thai troops had entered areas near Border Marker No. 26 in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province. This incursion prompted Phnom Penh to lodge a new diplomatic protest.
The ministry detailed how Thai soldiers have been clearing forested land and installing barbed wire near the contested border zone since early June. Cambodia argues that these actions are intended to push the boundary further into its territory, rejecting the border line asserted by Thailand. The Cambodian government insists that the disputed area should be addressed through mutually agreed-upon border demarcation processes rather than unilateral actions.
Phnom Penh contends that Thailand’s activities are in violation of Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on the Cambodia-Thailand land border. Additionally, they claim these actions breach commitments made during the Third Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee in December 2025. These agreements necessitate continued border demarcation efforts through the Joint Boundary Commission. Cambodia has called on Thailand to cease what it describes as hostile actions, remove unauthorized border installations, and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve the disputes.
Government spokesperson Pen Bona disclosed that Cambodia has filed 42 diplomatic protests since July 2025 over what it perceives as persistent Thai encroachments. Furthermore, the government has sent nine diplomatic notes seeking meetings of the Joint Boundary Commission and the deployment of Joint Survey Teams to advance technical work on border demarcation. Cambodian officials emphasize these actions as evidence of their commitment to resolving disputes through established bilateral channels.
The Cambodian government maintains that the border should be determined using the 1:200,000-scale maps drafted under the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty. Criticizing Thailand, Cambodia claims that its neighbor relies on separate 1:50,000-scale maps, which Phnom Penh argues were created unilaterally and are not recognized under current agreements. As of the latest reports, Thai authorities have not publicly responded to Cambodia’s accusations.