AKP Phnom Penh, June 30, 2026 — Cambodia has strongly condemned repeated territorial violations by Thailand, following a recent visit by Thai authorities and foreign journalists to the disputed O’Smach border area.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Information stated that Thai personnel escorted foreign media, including the ABC, into O’Smach without local authorisation or notice.

"The O’Smach area is under the absolute, legally recognised sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia," the Ministry said, citing Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the United Nations Charter, which mandates that member states respect the territorial integrity and political independence of other nations.

Cambodia characterised the Thai military’s actions as a direct breach of international law, asserting that Thailand holds no jurisdiction to conduct military operations or facilitate media reporting within Cambodian territory.

Cambodian officials dismissed subsequent media coverage emerging from the visit, labelling it a politically motivated effort by Thailand to tarnish Cambodia's international standing.

"We completely reject all content, sources, and reports generated from these unauthorised activities," the Ministry of Information stated, adding that unilateral entry bypasses established bilateral border mechanisms and undermines diplomatic protocols and mutual trust between the neighbouring Southeast Asian nations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has previously lodged formal diplomatic protests regarding similar incidents involving foreign journalists and military attachés.

While reinforcing its commitment to maintaining stable bilateral relations, Cambodia stressed it would not tolerate violations of its sovereignty or the use of its territory for "misinformation campaigns."

The Ministry of Information called on the international community to evaluate the situation based on international law, cautioning against narratives constructed from unauthorised entry into Cambodian territory.

H.E. Tep Asnarith, Under Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Information

By K. Rithy Reak