AKP Phnom Penh, September 25, 2025 --

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia has expressed grave concern over the latest reporting in various Thai official websites, in particular the website of the Spokesperson's Office of the Royal Thai Navy and the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command, and The Nation (Thailand), which cast Cambodian citizens literally "invading" Thailand in 17 locations along the areas adjacent to Cambodia's provinces of Pursat and Koh Kong, including in Veal Veng district, Pursat province of Cambodia, opposite Mueang district, Trat province.

In a statement released this morning, the Ministry said it is important to acknowledge the fact that, while both countries have yet to demarcate several segments of the shared border, people on both sides have lived on and cultivated the lands for decades in many un-demarcated areas. “This has given rise to disputes or differences that both sides have been able to amicably addressed through the General Border Committee, and agreed to refer the complicated issues to the Joint Commission for Demarcation of Land Boundary (JBC) for settlement, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary signed in 2000,” it said. 

The statement recalled that at the Special General Border Committee Meeting which was concluded on Sept. 10, 2025, both sides reaffirmed commitment made in earlier meetings to avoid actions that could escalate tensions or expand the area of disputes. Cambodia has been exercising utmost restraint and strictly complying with the ceasefire terms, in line with shared aspiration expressed that it is now time for both sides to jointly endeavour to promote conducive atmosphere for further de-escalation, mutual confidence building, and work toward normalcy.

Therefore, the statement underlined, it is unconstructive to hype up the issue such as one cited in the recent public release of Royal Thai Navy, which has already been appropriately addressed, with the last communication made on Feb. 1, 2022. Cambodia calls on Thai side to resolve the issue through the JBC, which is due to meet next month.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to reiterate Cambodia's consistent and unwavering commitment to seeking amicable resolution to all border disputes with Thailand, as with all its neighbours, through peaceful means in accordance with international law, while remaining resolute in upholding its principled position that borders must not be changed by force,” it concluded.

By C. Nika