The longstanding border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has resurfaced despite a ceasefire agreement designed to maintain military positions and facilitate civilian safety. The truce, which took effect on December 27, was intended to ease tensions and enable the safe return of over 20,000 displaced individuals. However, recent actions by Thai forces have prompted Cambodia to reiterate that the ceasefire should not influence the determination of the international boundary between the two nations.
According to Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra, while both countries reached an agreement in December, which includes maintaining current military positions, Thailand has been accused of fortifying areas contested by Cambodia. These measures reportedly include the installation of barbed wire, the construction of roads and military facilities, and the digging of trenches—actions that Cambodia claims could alter the existing status quo rather than uphold it.
Minister Pheaktra emphasized that these developments could compromise the integrity of the ceasefire and impede the return of displaced civilians, which remains a critical measure of the truce’s effectiveness. The Cambodian government is concerned that such activities might create new territorial facts on the ground, which could complicate future negotiations over the disputed border.
Meanwhile, Thailand has conducted tours for foreign delegates, ASEAN observers, and international journalists to areas near the contested border, such as the O’Smach casino area and the Choam crossing. During these visits, Thailand presented claims related to the use of casino buildings and alleged cross-border criminal activities, reinforcing its control over these regions.
Cambodia, however, disputes Thailand’s assertion of authority over these areas, maintaining that the territory belongs to Cambodia. As the situation develops, both countries remain at an impasse, with the ceasefire’s success hanging in the balance amid ongoing tensions and unresolved territorial claims.