Cambodia Refutes Thai Media Allegations, Affirms Villagers Acted to Defend Their Land in Chork Chey Incident

Cambodia Refutes Thai Media Allegations, Affirms Villagers Acted to Defend Their Land in Chork Chey Incident

Phnom Penh, 26 August 2025 — The Ministry of National Defence has strongly rejected allegations published by Thailand’s Khaosod media on August 25, 2025, which claimed that Cambodian authorities had recruited villagers to dismantle barbed wire and provoke clashes with Thai soldiers in Chork Chey Village, O’Bei Choan Commune, O’Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province.

Her Excellency Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defence, clarified that the confrontation arose solely from Cambodian villagers’ determination to protect their lawful land and property from unlawful encroachment by Thai military forces, who attempted to install barbed wire and place roadblocks inside Cambodian territory. Such actions, she stressed, are in violation of the ceasefire agreement reached between Cambodia and Thailand on July 28, 2025 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

During the daily briefing on the implementation of the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire, held at the Office of the Council of Ministers on the morning of August 26, 2025, General Socheata detailed the incident:

“At 14:20 on August 25, Thai soldiers began laying barbed wire in Chork Chey Village, opposite Nong Chan Village, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand.

At 15:14 the same day, Thai troops attempted a second time to install barbed wire. However, Cambodian landowners, joined by other villagers, strongly resisted, forcing Thai soldiers to withdraw their materials back into their territory.”

General Socheata emphasized that from the evening of August 25, until the morning of August 26, Cambodian villagers stood united in peacefully opposing the encroachment, motivated only by their genuine concern over the Thai military’s actions and their determination to safeguard what they regard as their legitimate property.

“This incident was not instigated by the authorities, but rather reflected the people’s deep attachment to their homeland and their lawful right to defend their property,” she underscored.