Phnom Penh, Aug. 21, 2026 Cambodia has lodged another strong protest against Thailand over what it described as continued violations of Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity along the countries’ shared border, alleging that Thai forces have cleared forest, built a new road and constructed military bunkers in areas claimed by Cambodia.

The allegations were contained in Press Release No. PR 118/2026, issued by Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) on Friday. The ministry said the activities were inconsistent with existing bilateral agreements on border surveying and demarcation. According to the ministry, Thai armed forces progressively cleared forest between July 26 and Aug. 17 in Sangkat O Smach, Krong Samraong, Oddar Meanchey province, to construct a new road.

“The road [runs] from the north of Boundary Pillar No. 14 to the area of Ta Thong Mountain (Hill 278),” the ministry said in the statement. The Cambodian ministry said Thai forces continued road construction in the area on Aug. 20, while also carrying out construction of new military bunkers.

“On 20 August 2026, in Sra Em Commune, Choam Ksan District, Preah Vihear Province, the Thai armed forces constructed new military bunkers north of Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda,” the ministry said.

Cambodia described the reported activities as a “clear violation” of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying they also ran counter to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary signed by the two governments on June 14, 2000. The ministry said the 2000 agreement provides a framework for Cambodia and Thailand to conduct border-survey and demarcation work through agreed bilateral mechanisms.

Cambodia also cited the Joint Statement of the Third Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC), dated Dec. 27, 2025, saying the two sides had agreed to refer the resumption of survey and demarcation work to the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) in accordance with existing agreements. “Both sides agreed to refer to the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to resume at the earliest the survey and demarcation work,” the Cambodian ministry said.

The ministry argued that unilateral activities in sensitive border areas should not replace or undermine the mechanisms agreed upon by the two governments.

Cambodia reiterated that it does not recognize any boundary line or territorial claim that Thailand asserts unilaterally. “Cambodia reiterates that it does not accept any boundary line or territorial claim unilaterally asserted by Thailand,” the ministry said, adding that the reported activities would not prejudice Cambodia’s legal rights or position concerning its international boundary.

The statement framed the dispute as a matter to be addressed through established diplomatic and legal mechanisms rather than through changes on the ground. Cambodia also reaffirmed its position that borderlines should not be changed by force, according to the ministry.

The latest protest comes against a backdrop of longstanding disagreement over sections of the Cambodia-Thailand land border. The two countries have relied on bilateral mechanisms, including the GBC and JBC, to address security issues and the technical process of border demarcation.

Cambodia’s latest allegations focus on activities that could have implications beyond ordinary infrastructure development because they involve a road and military positions in areas where the two sides maintain differing territorial positions. The Cambodian government did not provide independent verification in the statement of the reported construction activities or specify the precise legal status of the locations in question.

Instead, it presented the activities as violations of Cambodian sovereignty and as actions inconsistent with the bilateral framework governing border demarcation. The latest statement follows previous Cambodian protests over alleged Thai military construction and other activities along contested sections of the frontier. Similar disputes over military positions, land clearing and infrastructure have repeatedly heightened tensions between the neighbouring countries.

Despite the strong language of its protest, Cambodia called for the dispute to be handled through peaceful means. “The Royal Government of Cambodia urges Thailand to cease such actions, and honour its commitment to de-escalating the situation, fostering mutual trust, facilitating peaceful settlement of disputes,” the ministry said.

Cambodia said such measures would help restore peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations along the border. The government reiterated its commitment to resolving boundary disputes with Thailand and other neighbouring countries “exclusively through peaceful means,” in accordance with international law and existing bilateral agreements. “Borderlines must not be changed by force,” the ministry said.

The Cambodian position places the JBC at the centre of efforts to address outstanding questions over the land boundary, while the GBC remains an important mechanism for bilateral security and border cooperation. For Phnom Penh, the latest dispute underscores the importance of preventing activities on the ground from complicating future technical negotiations.

The government said maintaining restraint, respecting existing agreements and rebuilding mutual confidence were necessary to prevent further escalation. The latest Cambodian protest therefore represents both a diplomatic objection to specific alleged activities and a broader reaffirmation of Phnom Penh’s position that unresolved border issues should be addressed through bilateral negotiations and established legal mechanisms.