Phnom Penh: The Royal Government of Cambodia, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has officially protested against the Thai side’s continued violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in areas that the Thai army has illegally occupied since December 27, 2025. The recent protests have involved the construction of at least 36 Buddha statues at several locations in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces, as well as the erection of two national flagpoles in Preah Vihear province.
Following the ceasefire of 27 December 2025, Thai military forces have continued to strengthen their illegal control and occupation of Cambodian territory by constructing permanent structures such as large Buddha statues, erecting and reinforcing roadblocks using containers and barbed wire, erecting national flagpoles at several locations, and organizing various cultural and tourism activities.
These activities cannot be considered as measures to maintain military positions, but rather clearly contribute to the measures set out in paragraph I of the Joint Declaration of the Third Special Meeting of the General Boundary Committee (GBC) on 27 December 2025, in particular paragraphs 2 and 3. :
Point 2: The two sides agree to maintain the presence of their forces at their current locations without further movement of forces. There shall be no movement of forces, including patrols, into the other side’s positions.
Point 3: The two sides agree that any agreement under this Joint Declaration shall not affect the demarcation of the border and the international boundary between the two countries. The two sides agree to entrust the Joint Border Commission with the task of continuing to carry out the work of measuring and demarcating the border as soon as possible in accordance with the existing agreements between the two countries in order to achieve lasting peace along the border.
The two sides agree to use the existing mechanisms of the Joint Border Commission to ensure the safety and security of the joint working group on the actual location, including safety from mines. Both sides agreed that the Joint Boundary Commission would give the highest priority to the work of measuring and demarcating the border in the affected areas inhabited by civilians.
The Royal Government of Cambodia would like to reiterate that Cambodia does not recognize the border line through the use of absolute force or unilateral territorial claims by Thailand, and that the above-mentioned actions will not affect the legitimate rights or position of the Kingdom of Cambodia with respect to its international border.
The Royal Government of Cambodia calls on Thailand to abide by the commitments made in the Joint Declaration of the Third Special Meeting of the General Boundary Committee (GBC) to restore mutual trust and confidence and to promote peace, stability and good-neighborly relations along the common border between the two countries, in accordance with the principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. in Southeast Asia (TAC).
