September 5, 2025
PHNOM PENH – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that Cambodia has communicated another formal protest over incursions by Thai forces in the border regions, especially in areas where Cambodian communities have been living for decades.
In a September 3 statement, the ministry described how the razor wire, nets and tyre barricades laid by the Thai military in two villages in Banteay Meanchey province’s O Bei Chorn commune in August have caused immense hardship to many Cambodian families, who have been evicted from their homes and farmland, and are now awaiting redress of their plight.
The statement noted that on August 26 and 28, Wanchana Sawasdee, director of the Mission Coordination Office for National Security under the Directorate of Operations of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, publicly declared an ultimatum for Cambodia to “evacuate its citizens from Chok Chey village in 3-6 months, or they would face forced removal by the Thai military”.
Thai authorities have erected a billboard which shares his announcement, and the governor of the neighbouring Thai province of Sa Kaeo sent a formal letter to the governor of Banteay Meanchey province of Cambodia.
“The above actions and the announcement of plans to issue land titles to Thai citizens in areas where hundreds of Cambodian families have lived for decades are deeply concerning and amount to an attempt to unilaterally demarcate the border through the use of military means,” said the ministry statement.
“This is a violation of the mandate of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) and contrary to the spirit of the 2000 MoU on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary between Cambodia and Thailand, the agreement on the ceasefire of 28 July, the Agreed Minutes of the Extraordinary Meetings of the General Border Committee (GBC) on 7 August and the Regional Border Committee meeting of 22 August,” it added.
The ministry noted that Cambodia remains firmly committed to seeking amicable resolutions to boundary disputes with all its neighbours through peaceful means, in accordance to international law while remaining resolute in upholding its principled position that borders must not be changed by force.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia urges the Thai side to maintain the status quo ante and to settle the above-mentioned border situation through the GBC and JBC as has been committed to and mutually agreed by both sides,” it said.
While highly contested areas, such as at Ta Mone Thom, Ta Krabey, and other areas along the border remain calm, the new flashpoint is at the location of the former Nong Chan refugee camp, where Thailand is claiming land which includes large parts of Chok Chey and Prey Chan villages.
Although the area is claimed by both sides, Thailand announced plans to force around 170 Cambodian families from their homes, even as both sides are implementing a ceasefire.