Cambodia has firmly rejected Thailand’s assertions over parts of their shared border, accusing Thai troops of infringing on bilateral agreements by operating within Cambodian territory. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement on June 27, contending that since early June, Thai forces have been active near Border Marker No. 26 in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province. These actions, according to Cambodia, have sparked renewed diplomatic friction between the neighboring countries.
Phnom Penh alleges that Thai soldiers have been clearing forested areas and installing barbed wire, activities perceived as attempts to modify the border and extend Thailand’s territorial claims. Cambodia maintains that the area in question remains subject to bilateral border demarcation processes and does not recognize the boundary line Thailand asserts. The Cambodian government argues that these actions breach Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, which governs land border surveys and demarcation, as well as commitments made during the Third Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee in December 2025.
In light of the situation, Cambodian authorities have urged Thailand to cease what they describe as unilateral actions and to adhere to previously agreed protocols meant to peacefully resolve disputes. Government spokesperson Pen Bona noted that Cambodia has lodged 42 diplomatic protests since July 2025 concerning alleged border encroachments. Additionally, Phnom Penh has dispatched nine diplomatic notes requesting sessions of the Joint Boundary Commission and the deployment of Joint Survey Teams to advance technical discussions on the ground.
Cambodia insists that the border should be defined using the 1:200,000-scale maps established under the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty. Conversely, Phnom Penh criticizes Thailand for relying on 1:50,000-scale maps, which Cambodia claims were created unilaterally and do not align with mutually acknowledged agreements. As tensions persist, Thai authorities have yet to publicly respond to Cambodia’s latest statement, leaving the border dispute unresolved.