Cambodian Military Denies Reports of Thai Encroachment in Pursat Province

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct. 17, 2025) — Military Region 5 of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces on Friday denied reports circulating on social media and in some news outlets that Thai forces had encroached on Cambodian territory in Thmor Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province.

Officials said the excavation activity referenced in the reports is taking place within Thai territory, not on Cambodian soil.

“The Cambodian forces stationed in the area are strictly safeguarding the territorial integrity of Cambodia,” the military said in a statement. “We urge the public not to be misled and to refrain from sharing unverified information.”

The statement said issues related to border demarcation and boundary markers fall under the jurisdiction of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission. That authority was reaffirmed in the minutes of the General Border Committee’s first meeting, held Sept. 10.

Military Region 5 said both countries have “clear and sufficient legal, institutional and technical foundations” for resolving border matters. These include a 1:200,000-scale map based on the 1904 treaty and 1907 convention, and 74 mutually recognized border markers reaffirmed in a 2000 memorandum of understanding.

The military reiterated its commitment to defending Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while supporting peaceful resolutions to border issues in accordance with international law.