Cambodia has reiterated its opposition to Thailand’s solo claims over parts of their shared border, accusing Thai forces of breaching bilateral agreements and conducting activities within 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 the Banteay Ampil district of Oddar Meanchey province. This prompted Phnom Penh to lodge a new diplomatic protest against Thailand.
The ministry highlighted that since early June, Thai soldiers have been clearing forested areas and setting up barbed wire near the contentious border zone. Cambodia argues these actions are an attempt by Thailand to shift the boundary further into Cambodian land. The Cambodian government insists that the disputed area should be resolved through mutually agreed-upon border demarcation processes rather than unilateral measures. According to Phnom Penh, Thailand’s activities contravene Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on the Cambodia-Thailand land border, as well as commitments from the Third Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee in December 2025. These agreements stipulate that both nations should continue demarcating their borders through the Joint Boundary Commission.
Cambodia has called on Thailand to cease what it describes as aggressive actions, dismantle the unilateral border installations, and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve the disagreements. Government spokesperson Pen Bona revealed that Cambodia has submitted 42 diplomatic protests since July 2025 over what it perceives as repeated Thai encroachments. Additionally, the government has sent nine diplomatic notes urging meetings of the Joint Boundary Commission and the deployment of Joint Survey Teams to advance technical work on border demarcation. Cambodian officials emphasize that these diplomatic efforts underscore the country’s commitment to resolving disputes through established bilateral channels.
Phnom Penh maintains that the border should be determined using the 1:200,000-scale maps created under the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty. The Cambodian government has criticized Thailand for using separate 1:50,000-scale maps, which Phnom Penh claims were produced unilaterally and are not recognized under existing agreements. Despite these ongoing tensions, as of the latest reports, Thai authorities have not publicly responded to the allegations made by Cambodia.