AKP Phnom Penh, September 22, 2025 --

The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence has rejected a border map presented by the Thai military and media, saying it was drawn unilaterally, technically incorrect, and intended to mislead the public.

“That map, drawn unilaterally, creates technically incorrect information and leads to misunderstandings,” underlined Maj. Gen. Chheng Khun, Deputy Director of the Department of Geography at the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, in a televised statement this evening.

According to him, the red and blue lines on the Thai satellite map are not official border lines but connecting lines drawn unilaterally by Thailand. He stressed that Cambodia has never recognised them as agreed border lines.

Maj. Gen. Chheng Khun clarified that the map signed by Mr. Lay Siengly, former head of the Cambodian survey team, and his Thai counterpart only confirms the location of border posts—not the official border line. “The claim that Mr. Lay Siengly’s signature acknowledges the border line is not true,” he affirmed.

He further pointed out that ground observations show Thai citizens are also occupying and exploiting land inside Cambodian territory, even though the Thai side only accuses Cambodian citizens of encroachment.

On why Cambodia had not previously publicised such information, Maj. Gen. Chheng Khun explained that negotiations under the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) must remain confidential. He noted that both countries have sufficient legal bases and mechanisms to resolve the border issue, particularly the 1/200,000 scale map under the 1904 Convention and 1907 Treaty, as well as the joint installation of 74 border posts recognised in the MoU 2000.

“Cambodia maintains its stance of protecting sovereignty based on the 1/200,000 scale map. We do not claim Thai land, and we ask Thailand to respect Cambodia’s sovereignty in return,” he stressed.

He recalled that at the Special General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting on Sept. 10, 2025, both sides agreed to assign the JBC to address border issues in Prey Chan and Chork Chey villages under point 8 of the meeting minutes.

“The Ministry of National Defence requests the Thai military, provincial authorities, and relevant institutions to stop using unofficial maps or satellite images that create confusion and tension,” Maj. Gen. Chheng Khun said. “We urge Thailand to respect all agreements and the spirit of the Sept. 10 Special GBC Meeting, and to avoid any actions that undermine trust or expand the scope of conflict.”

By C. Nika