In a recent escalation of border tensions, Cambodia has firmly rejected what it calls Thailand’s unilateral assertions over parts of their shared boundary, accusing Thai forces of contravening bilateral agreements by operating inside Cambodian territory. According to a statement from Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, issued on June 27, Thai military personnel have been active near Border Marker No. 26 in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province. These actions have reignited diplomatic friction between the neighboring nations.
The Cambodian authorities claim that since early June, Thai troops have been clearing forests and setting up barbed wire in the contested area, actions perceived as an attempt to shift the border line and expand Thai territory into Cambodia. Phnom Penh has contested the legitimacy of the border line as asserted by Thailand, insisting that the area in question remains under the jurisdiction of mutually agreed demarcation processes. The Cambodian government has pointed out that Thailand’s activities breach Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on land border surveys and demarcation, as well as the commitments from the Third Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee in December 2025.
The agreements between the two countries stipulate that the Joint Boundary Commission should address border disputes through established bilateral mechanisms. Cambodian officials have urged Thailand to cease its perceived unilateral actions and adhere to the agreed-upon procedures intended to peacefully resolve the ongoing disputes. Pen Bona, a government spokesperson, highlighted that since July 2025, Cambodia has filed 42 diplomatic protests regarding alleged border encroachments. Additionally, nine diplomatic notes have been sent, requesting meetings of the Joint Boundary Commission and the deployment of Joint Survey Teams to continue technical assessments on the ground.
Cambodia continues to advocate for the border to be determined using the 1:200,000-scale maps established under the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty. Phnom Penh has criticized Thailand’s reliance on different maps with a 1:50,000 scale, which Cambodia claims were created unilaterally and do not align with mutually recognized agreements. As tensions persist, Thai authorities have yet to publicly respond to Cambodia’s latest position, leaving the border disagreement unresolved.