AKP Phnom Penh, February 04, 2026 --

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia (MFAIC) has lodged a formal strongest protest against Thailand regarding the unauthorised field visit by a group of foreign military attachés and law enforcement officials, led by Chief Intelligence of Thai Army.

According to a press release issued this morning by the MFAIC, the unauthorised field visit was conducted at two hotels located in O’Smach district, Oddar Meanchey province of Cambodia on Feb. 2, 2026.

“The field visit was conducted without the consent of the Royal Government of Cambodia, which constitutes a violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the MFAIC underlined. 

The hotels and grounds where the visit took place are situated 397 metres from the international checkpoint of O’Smach which stands next to the border pillar No 15, said the Ministry, adding that the area has been taken control by force and occupied by Thailand's armed forces, during their offensive between Dec. 7-27, 2025.

“Cambodia categorically rejects and objects to the operations carried out by Thai military forces, including the illegitimate exercise of Thai sovereignty through organising above-mentioned trip, which violate the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter and amounts to attempt to legitimise its occupation of Cambodian sovereign territory,” stressed the press release.

While firmly rejecting Thailand's actions, the Royal Government of Cambodia reaffirms its consistent and unwavering commitment to seeking a resolution to all boundary 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.

By Heng Panha