Cambodia has pushed back against what it sees as Thailand’s unilateral claims to sections of their shared border, alleging that Thai forces have breached bilateral agreements by conducting activities on Cambodian land. In a statement released on June 27, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation accused Thai troops of operating near Border Marker No. 26 in the Banteay Ampil district of Oddar Meanchey province. These actions have sparked renewed diplomatic tensions between the neighboring countries.

The Cambodian government alleges that since early June, Thai soldiers have been clearing forests and installing barbed wire in the contested area. Phnom Penh argues that these activities are an attempt by Thailand to extend its territorial claims into Cambodian territory by altering the existing boundary. The ministry emphasized that Cambodia does not acknowledge the border line asserted by Thailand, insisting that the disputed area should remain subject to the agreed-upon border demarcation processes.

Cambodia contends that Thailand’s actions contravene Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding concerning land border surveys and demarcation. The Cambodian government also references commitments made during the Third Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee in December 2025, which stress the importance of resolving border discrepancies through established bilateral mechanisms. Cambodian authorities have called on Thailand to cease what they describe as unilateral actions and to follow previously agreed procedures for peacefully resolving outstanding disputes.

According to Pen Bona, a government spokesperson, Cambodia has lodged 42 diplomatic protests since July 2025 over alleged border encroachments. Additionally, Phnom Penh has dispatched nine diplomatic notes requesting Joint Boundary Commission meetings and the deployment of Joint Survey Teams to carry on with technical work on the ground. Cambodian officials maintain that these initiatives aim to reduce tensions and progress the formal demarcation process through dialogue rather than unilateral measures.

Cambodia maintains that the border should be determined using 1:200,000-scale maps prepared under the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty. The Cambodian government criticizes Thailand for relying on different 1:50,000-scale maps, which it claims were created unilaterally and do not reflect mutually recognized agreements. As of now, Thai authorities have not publicly addressed Cambodia’s latest statement, leaving the border dispute unresolved.