AKP Phnom Penh, July 02, 2026 --

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen, has recently lodged a formal complaint with H.E. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who chairs the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), concerning the activities of the AOT assigned to Thailand near Khnar Temple.

According to his letter, H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen expressed serious concern over an incident on June 26, 2026, in which members of the AOT assigned to Thailand, accompanied by Thai armed forces, entered Cambodian sovereign territory near Khnar Temple in Sangkat Kon Kreal, Samrong city, Oddar Meanchey province, without prior notification or coordination with Cambodian authorities.

The letter stated that after entering the area without permission, the group carried out tree-planting activities. H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen noted that Cambodia has consistently ensured that all AOT-related activities are conducted with proper notification to the Thai side at every relevant level.

The RCAF reiterated that the area in question lies within the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Cambodia, as indicated in an attached map. Despite Cambodia’s clarification regarding the location, the AOT members assigned to Thailand and the accompanying Thai military personnel proceeded with their activities without informing or seeking approval from the Cambodian side, the letter said.

The Cambodian military described the actions as inconsistent with the principles of neutrality, confidence-building, and mutual respect that underpin the establishment of the AOT mechanism. It warned that activities exceeding the agreed mandate, particularly in sensitive border areas, could undermine trust between the two sides and negatively affect ongoing efforts to achieve a peaceful and lasting settlement of border-related issues.

H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen called on the AOT Chair to support a review of the incident and to ensure that all AOT officers strictly adhere to the agreed Terms of Reference (TOR) and maintain the neutrality expected of the mission.

He stressed that strict compliance with these principles is essential for preserving mutual trust and ensuring that the AOT continues to serve its intended role as a mechanism for de-escalation and confidence-building.

The RCAF chief reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to working closely with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and all relevant parties to maintain peace, stability, and constructive dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand.

He also expressed appreciation for the leadership and commitment of the Philippine military in overseeing the AOT under the bilateral confidence-building mechanism agreed upon by Cambodia and Thailand, reiterating the RCAF’s full support for the implementation of the AOT Terms of Reference and its commitment to promoting transparency, mutual trust, and the peaceful resolution of issues along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

By C. Nika