Cambodia protests Thai unilateral border survey

Phnom Penh – 25 June 2026. Cambodia has lodged a fresh formal protest against Thailand, accusing its neighbour of violating sovereignty through new surveying activities in disputed border areas.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the complaint followed Thai operations between 18 and 22 June, when a land‑surveying team, accompanied by citizens and vehicles, installed boundary markers near Boundary Pillars 46 and 47 in Banteay Meanchey province.

Officials in Phnom Penh argued the actions breached multiple agreements, including the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on land boundary demarcation, the 2003 Terms of Reference, and the minutes of a Joint Boundary Commission meeting held in October 2025. They also pointed to the December 2025 ceasefire deal, which stipulated that survey work should be referred to the commission rather than conducted unilaterally.

“Cambodia strongly protests against the above‑mentioned activities,” the ministry said, stressing that it does not recognise any boundary line or claim asserted by Thailand. The statement added that the moves would not affect Cambodia’s legal rights over its international border.

Phnom Penh demanded that Bangkok halt further unilateral actions and work to de‑escalate tensions. It urged Thailand to foster trust and preserve peace along the frontier, while reaffirming Cambodia’s commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful means and international law.

The protest highlights the fragile state of relations between the two countries, where unresolved demarcation issues have repeatedly sparked friction. Cambodia insists that any border activity outside agreed frameworks undermines stability and risks reigniting tensions that have flared in recent years.

-2026-06-26