Cambodia has condemned today’s incursion by Thai military forces into Prey Chan village, O’Beichon commune, Ou Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, describing it as “a blatant violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
According to a statement issued by the Spokesperson Unit of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Thai forces, equipped with batons, shields, and armoured bulldozers, carried out a mine-clearing operation on Cambodian soil at 10.30am this morning.
The operation followed the placement of a razor wire barricade in the same location by Thai personnel, on August 13.
The Cambodian 51st Infantry Brigade had requested that Thai forces halt their activities and await the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), which were to be agreed upon by both sides.
Despite these appeals, Thai troops proceeded with their operation, prompting the Cambodian government to record the actions through the Interim Observer Team (IOT) present at the scene.
“The actions of the Thai forces constitute serious violations against Cambodia’s sovereignty and are in direct contravention of the ceasefire agreement reached in Malaysia on July 28,” said the statement.
The agreement explicitly prohibits troop movements and any acts that could escalate tensions.
The spokesperson unit highlighted that Thailand’s actions also undermine the spirit of the GBC and RBC meetings, which call for both sides to refrain from provocative activities, including military encroachments and inflammatory measures that could impact civilians.
The incident also breaches the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on border management, which requires joint verification and documentation of demarcated sectors before any activity is conducted.
Beyond territorial and diplomatic violations, the Cambodian statement stressed serious human rights implications.
International law protects the rights of civilians to housing, livelihood and property.
Forced or coercive incursions, the government said, directly contravene provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.
“The inhumane and unacceptable acts committed by Thai authorities inflicted serious harm upon innocent Cambodian citizens,” the statement said, criticising the enforcement of Thai law within Cambodia’s sovereign territory.
The Cambodia government urged Thailand to immediately halt all encroachment and respect existing bilateral and international agreements.
It also called upon the international community to condemn Thailand’s aggression and take measures to prevent further violations.
Prime Minister Hun Manet’s administration emphasised its commitment to resolving the border dispute peacefully and in full compliance with international law.
“Cambodia maintains a firm stance in respecting the ceasefire agreement and is determined to resolve the border issues through dialogue, agreements and established international conventions,” the spokesperson reaffirmed.
