Cambodia Invokes International Law and GBC Commitments Over Thai Actions Along Border

PHNOM PENH, Feb 8, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to resolving border disputes with Thailand through peaceful means and bilateral mechanisms, while accusing Thai forces of actions that contradict recent agreements under the General Border Committee (GBC).

Government spokesman Pen Bona, speaking at a press briefing Sunday, recalled the outcomes of the third special GBC meeting on Dec. 27, 2025, which stressed peaceful settlement of disputes in line with the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

He also cited the ASEAN Chair’s statement following the Dec. 22 Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, which urged both countries to refrain from the use of force, respect international boundaries, and promote regional peace and stability.

The GBC meeting reaffirmed commitments to fully implement the July 28, 2025 ceasefire and related agreements, aiming to restore normalcy along the border through dialogue and confidence-building measures.

However, Bona said recent Thai military activities — including placing shipping containers to block road access inside Cambodian territory — were inconsistent with these commitments and amounted to attempts to create “new realities” in areas Cambodia considers illegally occupied.

He stressed such actions prevent displaced Cambodian civilians from returning home and violate the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Cambodia, he added, remains committed to respecting the Dec. 27 joint statement and historical treaties, including the Franco-Siamese conventions, while rejecting any alteration of the boundary line.