Diplomatic Channels Used to Raise Border Concerns with Thailand
Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally protested alleged unlawful activities by Thai armed forces in Banteay Meanchey Province, citing demolition of infrastructure and terrain changes. Phnom Penh reiterates its commitment to peaceful resolution and international law governing border disputes.
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has issued a formal protest against what it describes as unlawful activities by Thai armed forces in occupied areas of Banteay Meanchey Province, according to a government press release on 12 February 2026. The statement cited actions that allegedly altered terrain and infrastructure in disputed zones, a move Phnom Penh says contravenes international law and prior border-de-escalation agreements.
Local authorities reported that civilian structures and administrative facilities at Boeung Trakoun in Thmar Puok District were demolished, and that construction of a road and filling of a pond took place near Chouk Chey Village in O Bei Chorn Commune, O Chrov District. Cambodian officials say these activities have changed the geographical character of the areas, which they view as an attempt to “legitimise unlawful occupation.”
In its official statement, the ministry reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to peaceful and diplomatic resolution of all boundary issues, stressing that established borders must not be altered by force. The protest note referenced multiple frameworks — including the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and agreements reached under the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission and General Border Committee — as the basis for its position.
The Cambodian government reiterated its principled stance that all boundary and territorial disputes should be addressed through dialogue and in accordance with international law, while affirming that the Kingdom seeks “amicable settlement” with neighbouring countries.
The protest comes amid a broader backdrop of ongoing tension along the Cambodia–Thailand border, where both countries have intermittently accused each other of ceasefire violations since the conflict escalated in 2025. Multiple rounds of diplomatic talks have taken place under ASEAN and bilateral mechanisms to ease tensions, but concerns regarding territorial occupation and administration in contested areas remain unresolved.
Officials for both governments have affirmed commitment to continued dialogue, yet the situation highlights the complexities and sensitivities involved in managing border disputes and maintaining stability in the region. Cambodia’s protest underscores the importance of adherence to international agreements and existing border-management protocols in efforts to uphold sovereignty and reduce tensions.
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