Thai troops accused of violating Cambodia’s sovereignty

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have flared after Cambodian officials accused Thai soldiers of forcibly occupying homes and villages inside Cambodian territory, in what experts describe as a serious breach of international law.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior, residents returning to their homes in Oddar Meanchey province last week found Thai troops stationed inside, refusing men entry and allowing women only brief access to collect belongings. Many reported that valuables had already been taken. In Pursat province, Thai forces allegedly broke into eight homes, confiscating motorcycles and other property.

Kin Phea, Director-General of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, condemned the actions as “a flagrant violation of territorial integrity and international norms.” He warned that such incursions undermine trust between the two neighbours and risk escalating into a wider diplomatic crisis, threatening ASEAN unity.

Geopolitical analyst Thong Mengdavid echoed the concerns, noting that the UN Charter prohibits unauthorised military entry into another state’s territory. He stressed that even in disputed border areas, international practice discourages unilateral force, urging reliance on joint mechanisms and diplomatic channels instead.

The situation has been particularly tense in Banteay Meanchey province, where officials say Thai troops encircled and occupied four villages in the Boeung Trakuon area despite a ceasefire agreed on 27 December. More than 6,000 residents have been affected, with homes damaged, roads blocked by shipping containers, and unexploded ordnance discovered.

Cambodia’s government issued a strong statement condemning the aggression as a violation of multiple bilateral agreements, including ceasefire arrangements and joint border committee records. Journalists visiting the area reported barbed wire, armoured vehicles and patrols by Thai forces.

In a separate development, Cambodian authorities repatriated 162 Thai nationals stranded during the clashes, escorting them across the border at Chanthaburi on 3 January.

Analysts warn that without stronger joint mechanisms and clearer demarcation of the frontier, similar incidents are likely to recur. For now, the incursions have cast a shadow over bilateral relations, raising fears of renewed instability along one of Southeast Asia’s most sensitive borders.

-2026-01-05