Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement on the afternoon of January 21, 2026, renewing its formal protest against actions by Thai armed forces in occupied areas. The ministry said the activities ran counter to the de-escalation measures in paragraph 1 of the joint statement of the Third Special Meeting of the General Border Committee on December 27, 2025.
The ministry said these activities seriously affected Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and identified three activities on January 19: placing a Buddha statue at the site of a Vishnu statue that it said Thai troops had destroyed at An Ses in Preah Vihear; placing shipping containers to block a road at Boeung Trakuon in Banteay Meanchey; and using heavy machinery to construct bunkers at Boeung Trakuon.
It called on Thailand to implement all provisions of the joint statement and related agreements fully and in good faith, so as to de-escalate tensions, build trust and confidence, and restore peace between the two countries.
Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the border issue peacefully, in accordance with international law and bilateral agreements, and reiterated that borders cannot be changed by force. By: Pai Sokhim
