Cambodia notifies UN of escalating Thai military violations along border

Synopsis: Cambodia has officially complained to the UN about the Thai army’s continued violations of the ceasefire agreement, including provocative statements from the Commander of the Second Border Command Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang.Cambodia has formally notified the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) President and the UN Secretary-General of escalating violations by Thailand’s armed forces along the shared border, despite the ceasefire agreement reached during the Special Meeting on July 28 and reaffirmed at the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting in Malaysia on August 7.

At a press briefing yesterday, Chum Sounry, Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), confirmed that Cambodia’s top diplomat had sent separate letters to the UNSC President and the UN Secretary-General.

In the letters dated August 11, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn warned of the increasing threat to the already fragile ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand.

He stated that Thailand’s armed forces have continued to violate Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, contravening international law, bilateral agreements, and the terms of the recently agreed ceasefire.

According to the letters, since the ceasefire took effect on July 28, Thai military units have repeatedly crossed into Cambodian territory, illegally laid barbed wire, and built roads at multiple points along the border.

Sokhonn added that Thai forces entered the An Ses area of Preah Vihear province, where they escalated their presence by laying barbed wire, demolishing the homes of Cambodian villagers and deploying heavy machinery to build fortified bunkers.

These actions, he noted, align with a public statement made on Sunday by the commander of Thailand’s Second Army Region, who openly declared intentions to seize the Ta Krabei Temple and shut down the Ta Moan Thom Temple – both of which are entirely located within Cambodian territory.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia therefore demands that the Royal Thai Government and the Thai Armed Forces: first, immediately cease all incursions, illegal occupations, and other activities violating Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity; second, withdraw all Thai military personnel and equipment from Cambodian territory to positions fully consistent with the legally established boundary; and third, comply fully and unconditionally with all binding bilateral and international obligations, including the ceasefire agreement of July 28, 2025, and the Aug. 7, 2025, agreement,” said Sokhonn.

Meanwhile, in an apparent bid to deflect criticism, Thailand rejected the claim that the commander of Thailand’s Second Army Region Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang had vowed to reclaim two disputed border temples in breach of the ceasefire, yet offered no explanation for how the statement aligns with peaceful dialogue or respects Cambodia’s sovereignty
Lt Gen Boonsin made the comments on Sunday during a ceremony at Suranaree Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima attended by Thai Parliamentary Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha and other officials.

“I confirm that this is our castle, and we must reclaim it,” Lt Gen Boonsin declared, claiming that Thai troops were stationed just 30 metres from the temple.

On Monday, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence accused “a senior Thai military commander” of openly plotting to seize Cambodian territory, calling his statements “undeniable evidence” of a provocative and premeditated attempt to violate the Kingdom’s sovereignty.

In response, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday night issued a statement “to clarify the misrepresentation made in the statement by the Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia.”

In the statement, the ministry stated that Thailand has not redeployed any of its forces to encroach on Cambodian sovereignty in any way.

“At present, Thai forces remain in the positions in which they were deployed at the time that the ceasefire came into effect,” the statement reads.

The ministry also said that Thailand is fully prepared to attend the Regional Border Committee (RBC) Meetings with Cambodia, in line with the two-week timeframe as agreed during the GBC meeting between Cambodian and Thai defence ministers on August 7.

“At the same time, Thailand reiterates our call on Cambodia to also strictly adhere to and implement the terms of the ceasefire, particularly on refraining from disseminating false information or fake news, to avoid misunderstanding among the people on both sides and create an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue,” the statement read.

However, the Thai Foreign Affairs Minister did not offer an explanation for the implications of the statement by Lt Gen Boonsin, particularly how he – without using military force – is planning to reclaim the ancient Khmer temple currently occupied by Cambodian troops after five days of deadly military clashes last month.

Also on Monday, in a press release, Cambodia’s National Assembly condemned Thai House Speaker Wan Muhamad for supporting Lt Gen Boonsin.

Echoing the earlier announcement from Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, the National Assembly described the announcement as “irrefutable evidence” of a “deliberate and premeditated act of provocation” and an attempted invasion of its sovereignty.

The statement said the Thai Speaker’s endorsement of the statement has turned “Thai military provocations into a policy endorsed by a Thai legislative institution” and warned that such actions undermine the calm and stability recently achieved along the border.

“The National Assemblies of both our nations… should applaud the generally calm and stable situation along our shared border… rather than engage in actions that hinder the restoration of peace, stability, and normal relations,” the statement read.

It further alleged that the remarks constitute a breach of the ASEAN and UN Charters as well as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Calling on the international community to intervene, the Assembly urged partner countries – particularly those involved in brokering the ceasefire – to press Thailand to comply “not only in words, but also in actions,” including by dismantling barbed wire placed on Cambodian territory.

The statement thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for mediating talks between Cambodia and Thailand and acknowledged the “crucial roles” played by the United States, China, ASEAN member states, dialogue partners, and other friendly nations.

It gave special recognition to former US President Donald Trump for what it called his contribution to peace and stability in the region.

Reaffirming Cambodia’s stance, the Assembly said the Kingdom “cherishes peace, defends peace, and will be a friend to all countries in the region and across the globe,” while continuing to promote initiatives such as the Universal Peace Charter launched by Senate President Hun Sen.

Speaking in a press conference yesterday, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence, said Cambodia hopes that the upcoming RBC meeting with Thailand will contribute positively to the enforcement of the ceasefire agreement and help restore peace, security, stability, and normalcy to the relationship between the two countries.

“I would also like to underscore that the borders cannot be changed through the use of force, and that border issues must be resolved through technical and international legal mechanisms,” she said.

“Cambodia’s is commited to work constructively, in good faith, and in close cooperation with Thailand, Malaysia, or other ASEAN member countries and all relevant partners to ensure the effective and full implementation of the ceasefire and to resolve all disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, the UN Charter and the ASEAN Charter.”

Kin Phea, Director-General of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, said that whatever the Thai government is doing to try to alleviate the declarations of Lt Gen Boonsin, his message clearly showed that he is planning to use force to attack Cambodia.

“The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry is only trying to twist the truth and hide the violent ambition displayed by him (Lt Gen Boonsin),” he said. “All confusion, fake news, and manipulated narratives consistently originate from the Thai side.”

“They speak, then deny; they act, then disown; they provoke, then accuse; they distort the truth, then twist its meaning. Thais remain the same – from top to bottom, from government to ordinary citizens, from military to media, from scholars to monks – all united in serving their ultimate goal: the invasion of Cambodia,” Phea added.KhmerTime