(Phnom Penh): The Royal Government of Cambodia formally lodged another strong protest against Thailand's continued violations of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity along the border, according to a press release seen by Fresh News on Saturday (Aug. 22).

From 26 July to 17 August 2026, in Sangkat O Smach, Krong Samraong, Oddar Meanchey Province, the Thai armed forces progressively cleared the forest for a new road construction running from the north of Boundary Pillar No. 14 to the area of Ta Thong Mountain (Hill 278). Subsequently, on 20 August 2026, the Thai armed forces continued the road construction activities in the aforementioned areas and also conducted new military bunker construction.

On 20 August 2026, in Sra Em Commune, Choam Ksan District, Preah Vihear Province, the Thai armed forces constructed new military bunkers north of Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda.

According to the press release, the abovementioned activities constitute a clear violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary signed on 14 June 2000, and the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on 27 December 2025, in which both sides agreed to refer to the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to resume at the earliest the survey and demarcation work, in accordance with existing agreements between the two countries.

Cambodia reiterated that it does not accept any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand, and that the above-mentioned activities shall not prejudice the legal rights or position of Cambodia with respect to its international boundary.

The Royal Government of Cambodia urged Thailand to cease such actions, and honour its commitment to de-escalating the situation, fostering mutual trust, facilitating peaceful settlement of disputes, thereby restoring peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

Cambodia reaffirmed that it remains committed to resolving all boundary disputes with Thailand, as with all its neighbours, exclusively through peaceful means, in line with international law and existing bilateral agreements, while firmly upholding its principled position that borderlines must not be changed by force.
=FRESH NEWS