Cambodia Demands UN Probe into Thai Border Wire Dispute

[geovalin]

 

Cambodia has formally appealed to the United Nations and ASEAN human rights bodies to investigate what it calls “unlawful” incursions by Thai military forces along its northern border. The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) alleges that Thai troops entered Cambodian territory earlier this month to lay barbed wire and seize civilian land, in breach of international law and recent ceasefire agreements.

 

In letters sent to senior UN and ASEAN officials, CHRC President Keo Remy detailed multiple incidents between 4 and 14 August in Preah Vihear and Banteay Meanchey provinces. These included land clearing operations, barricade installations, and the encirclement of homes and farmland. Cambodian troops and international observers reportedly blocked further deployments near Boeung Trakuon on 14 August.

 

Remy described the impact on local communities as “immense suffering,” with families displaced and livelihoods destroyed. He accused the Royal Thai Armed Forces of violating the 28 July ceasefire and the 13-point agreement reached at the Extraordinary General Border Committee meeting on 7 August.

 

The CHRC is urging the UN to demand the removal of all barbed wire, ensure the return of seized property, and launch an independent investigation. It also reiterated calls for the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers still held in Thai custody.

 

Thailand has yet to issue a formal response. The dispute adds to longstanding tensions over border demarcation and military activity in contested areas. Cambodia’s appeal signals a shift towards international arbitration, as it seeks to uphold human rights and territorial sovereignty through legal channels.

 

With diplomatic pressure mounting, the region watches closely for signs of de-escalation—or further confrontation.

-2025-08-16