In a recent escalation of diplomatic tensions, Cambodia has strongly rejected what it describes as Thailand’s unilateral claims over certain border areas shared by the two nations. According to a statement released by Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on June 27, Thai military forces have been accused of conducting operations near Border Marker No. 26, located in Banteay Ampil district within Oddar Meanchey province. Cambodia claims these activities, which include clearing forested areas and installing barbed wire, signify an attempt by Thailand to alter the established boundary, thereby extending its territorial claims into Cambodian land.
Cambodia maintains that such actions by Thailand are in violation of existing agreements, specifically citing Article 5 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement governs land border surveys and demarcation between the two countries. Furthermore, Cambodia cites commitments made during the Third Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee in December 2025, which emphasize resolving border issues through bilateral mechanisms orchestrated by the Joint Boundary Commission. Cambodian officials are urging Thailand to cease these unilateral actions and adhere to the agreed-upon procedures aimed at resolving the dispute peacefully.
The Cambodian government has been proactive in addressing these concerns, having submitted 42 diplomatic protests since July 2025 against what it perceives as border encroachments by Thailand. Additionally, Cambodia has dispatched nine diplomatic notes requesting convened meetings of the Joint Boundary Commission and the deployment of Joint Survey Teams to advance technical work on the ground. These actions are part of Cambodia’s broader strategy to de-escalate tensions and proceed with the formal demarcation process through dialogue rather than through unilateral measures.
At the core of the dispute is a disagreement over the maps to be used for determining the border. Cambodia insists on using the 1:200,000-scale maps, which were prepared under the auspices of the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty. In contrast, Thailand is reportedly relying on 1:50,000-scale maps, which Cambodia argues were created unilaterally and lack mutual recognition. This fundamental disagreement over mapping further complicates efforts to resolve the border dispute.
As of now, Thai authorities have yet to issue a public response to Cambodia’s most recent statement, leaving the border contention in a state of uncertainty. Cambodia continues to emphasize the importance of diplomatic engagement and adherence to previously established agreements to bring about a resolution to the ongoing territorial dispute.