Cambodia Rejects Thai Accusations of Border Encroachment, Urges Respect for Sovereignty and Peaceful Resolution

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept.25, 2025) — The Cambodian government on Thursday issued a firm rebuttal to what it described as “baseless and misleading” accusations from Thai media and official Thai platforms, which claim Cambodian citizens have encroached on Thai territory at 17 locations along the shared border.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), Cambodia expressed serious concern over reports published by the Royal Thai Navy’s Spokesperson’s Office, the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defense Command, and Thai outlet The Nation.

These reports allege Cambodian villagers “invaded” areas adjacent to Pursat and Koh Kong provinces, including Veal Veng District opposite Thailand’s Mueang District in Trat Province.

“These reports inaccurately portray Cambodian citizens as invaders,” MOFAIC said, adding that many of the areas in question remain undemarcated and have been jointly inhabited and cultivated for decades.

The ministry emphasized that such disputes have historically been addressed through bilateral mechanisms, including the General Border Committee and the Joint Commission for Demarcation of Land Boundary (JBC), in accordance with the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding.

The Cambodian government reiterated its unwavering commitment to resolving all border issues peacefully and in accordance with international law. “Cambodia does not seek confrontation,” the statement read. “We seek recognition of our sovereignty and respect for the principles of peaceful coexistence.”

Further complicating the matter, Cambodian officials criticized the Thai military’s use of satellite imagery featuring unilateral boundary lines. Major General Chheng Khun, Deputy Director of the Department of Geography at the Ministry of National Defence, said the maps released by Thai authorities are technically inaccurate and misleading.

“The red and blue lines shown on the Thai satellite image map are not mutually agreed boundary lines,” he said. “They are unilaterally drawn and used to misinform the public.”

Khun added that Thai citizens have occupied parts of Chouk Chey village in O Bei Chorn Commune, O Chrov District, and constructed a road inside Cambodian territory—actions that violate the spirit and terms of the 2000 MOU.

Cambodian authorities have continued to address the issue through peaceful channels, including JBC meetings, despite rising tensions and reports of forced evictions.

He also clarified that the field plan circulated by Thai officials, bearing signatures from both Cambodian and Thai survey teams, merely indicates the location of boundary pillars and does not constitute an official demarcation.

“Cambodia and Thailand already have sufficient legal, institutional, and technical grounds for resolving these issues,” Khun said, citing the 1:200,000 scale map under the 1904 Convention and 1907 Treaty, along with 74 jointly planted boundary markers.

As tensions simmer, Cambodian officials are calling on Thailand to respect existing agreements and refrain from unilateral actions that could escalate the situation. “Borders must not be changed by force,” MOFAIC stated. “Cambodia remains committed to dialogue, cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of all disputes.”