AKP Phnom Penh, October 11, 2025 --

A coalition of Cambodian worker unions has strongly condemned the actions of Thai security forces, describing them as a serious encroachment on Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The condemnation follows an incident on Oct. 10, when Thai security forces, equipped with batons, shields, heavy machinery, and other equipment conducted a mine clearance operation in Prey Chan village, O’ Beichoan commune, O’ Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province. The unions denounced the actions as a blatant violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and an attempt to impose Thai law on Cambodian territory.

Mr. Sam Soeun, President of the National Labour Union of Cambodia, stated that the Thai army has repeatedly violated the ceasefire with Cambodia. He said that on Oct. 10, the Thai military once again invaded Cambodian territory in a “brutal and aggressive manner.”

He condemned the invasion and mine clearance operation as “a most brutal act” and “a violation of both human rights and international law.”

“We strongly condemn the actions of the Thai military, who have repeatedly violated Cambodian territory, particularly in Chork Chey and Prey Chan villages—homes of Cambodian citizens who have lived there for decades,” he said.

Mr. Kim Chan Samnang, President of the Cambodian Workers' Rights Union, said the Thai side has consistently used various pretexts to invade Cambodian land. He pointed in particular to the Oct. 10 land-clearing and demining activities in Prey Chan village, which he said breached the ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

He also described the operations as “barbaric acts,” adding, “We see that the Thai side always uses heavy machinery to clear land, causing noise and disturbance to local residents, including children who cannot rest at night. These are among the most barbaric actions repeatedly carried out against Cambodia.”

The worker unions emphasised that the Thai security forces’ actions constitute a grave violation of the ceasefire agreement, the spirit of the General Border Committee (GBC) and Cambodia–Thailand Regional Border Committee (RBC) meetings, and the provisions of Article 4, Point 2 of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding. They further said the actions also contravene principles of human rights and international humanitarian law.

By Chea Vannak