Cambodia Rejects Thai Military’s Unilateral Territorial Claim in Prey Chan and Chouk Chey Villages

Cambodia Rejects Thai Military’s Unilateral Territorial Claim in Prey Chan and Chouk Chey Villages

Phnom Penh, October 17, 2025 — The Royal Government of Cambodia has firmly rejected recent claims made by Thai military officials asserting that the area currently occupied by Thai troops is “Thai territory.”

According to a Press Statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Royal Government of Cambodia, certain Thai media outlets on October 15, 2025, cited Thai military statements referring to Prey Chan and Chouk Chey Villages, O’ Bei Choan Commune, O’ Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province, where Thai forces had unilaterally laid barbed wire on August 13, 2025, and subsequently bulldozed land and conducted mine clearance operations — actions that Cambodia views as clear violations of sovereignty.

The statement reaffirmed that the Cambodia–Thailand border is an internationally recognized boundary established by the 1904 Convention and the 1907 Treaty, along with the 1:200,000-scale map and 74 officially recognized boundary pillars that were installed more than a century ago.

“These borders hold full legal validity and are protected under the United Nations Charter and international law, which cannot be altered unilaterally by either party,” the statement underscored.

The Royal Government of Cambodia emphasized that the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), established under bilateral agreements between Cambodia and Thailand, is the sole legitimate mechanism mandated to survey and demarcate the common border. Cambodia remains committed to addressing all outstanding border issues through peaceful dialogue, existing treaties, and international law, and urges Thailand to respect these frameworks while awaiting the JBC’s resolution.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia maintains its firm position regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and categorically rejects any unilateral claims by the Thai military,” the Spokesperson declared. “The Thai army does not have the legal authority to determine international borders, and any such declaration holds no legal validity.”

While reaffirming its commitment to peace and restraint in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, the Royal Government warned that Cambodia reserves the legitimate right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law, should provocations continue.