Cambodia protests ‘unlawful’ Thai actions in disputed border areas

PHNOM PENH, April 11, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia has lodged a formal protest against what it described as unlawful activities by Thai forces in disputed border areas of Battambang and Oddar Meanchey provinces.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the areas had been “illegally occupied” by Thai armed forces since December 2025, and cited several recent incidents it claims violate Cambodian sovereignty.

These included the planting of a Thai national flag on April 6 atop an embankment near O Smach in Oddar Meanchey, the start of unilateral border fence construction between boundary markers 52 and 54 on April 2, and a visit by Thai and foreign media to local hotels on April 7 led by a senior Thai air force official.

The ministry said the actions amounted to an assertion of Thailand’s administrative authority in the area, which Cambodia rejects.

It argued the developments breach a de-escalation agreement reached during a bilateral border meeting in December 2025, as well as the mandate of the Joint Boundary Commission overseeing demarcation work.

Officials dismissed any justification based on crime prevention as a “pretext for territorial aggression,” stressing that Cambodia does not recognize any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand.

The government called on Bangkok to halt the activities and avoid further unilateral steps, warning they risk undermining trust and stability along the border.

Despite the tensions, Cambodia reiterated its commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, in line with international law and existing bilateral agreements.