Key facts
- Cambodia formally protested alleged Thai border violations on July 22.
- The protest cites road construction and barbed wire placement by Thai forces in Oddar Meanchey province.
- Cambodia asserts these actions violate sovereignty and bilateral agreements, including the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention and 2000 MoU.
- Phnom Penh demands Thailand cease activities and return to peaceful dispute resolution through the Joint Boundary Commission.
- Cambodia also reported damage to Preah Vihear Temple and Thai military presence around it.
Cambodia has lodged a formal diplomatic protest against Thailand, accusing Thai forces of carrying out road construction and laying barbed wire within Cambodian territory in Oddar Meanchey province between July 13 and July 19. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated that these actions violate existing bilateral border agreements, including the 1904 Franco-Siamese Convention, the 1907 Treaty, and the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on border demarcation.
Phnom Penh reiterated that it does not recognize any unilateral border claims by Thailand and that such activities do not prejudice Cambodia's legal rights. The ministry urged Thailand to immediately cease these activities and called for a return to dialogue and respect for existing agreements to reduce tensions and restore good-neighborly relations.
Cambodia has consistently advocated for resolving border disputes through peaceful means and existing bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). The country has sent multiple diplomatic notes requesting the resumption of JBC work, which it claims Thailand has postponed or not acted upon. During a UNESCO World Heritage Committee session, Cambodia also reported severe damage to Preah Vihear Temple and highlighted the continued presence of Thai forces around the site, warning that such actions threaten cultural heritage and regional peace.