Foreign ministry decries Thai construction on occupied territory - phnompenhpost.com

Cambodia has lodged another formal protest against Thailand, this time regarding the illegal construction of Buddhist statues and the installation of flagpoles on occupied Cambodian territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a May 30 press release explaining the grounds of the protest. It noted that the construction violates the December 27 Joint Statement. The ministry warned that Thailand continues to violate Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in areas that have been illegally occupied by Thai armed forces since December 27.

It said latest protest concerns the construction of at least 36 Buddha statues at several locations in the provinces of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, and the installation of two flagpoles in Preah Vihear. “Following the ceasefire on December 27, 2025, the Thai military has progressively consolidated its control and unlawful occupation of Cambodian territory through the construction of permanent structures, such as roads, large Buddha statues, the installation and reinforcement of blockages using containers and barbed wire, the erection of flagpoles at several locations and the organisation of cultural and tourism activities,” it noted. “These actions cannot be regarded as measures to maintain military positions. Rather, they clearly contradict the measures set out in Item I of the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on December 27, 2025, particularly Point 2 and 3,” it added. Cambodia reiterated that it does not recognise any boundary line established through the use of force or any unilateral territorial claim asserted by Thailand. “The above-mentioned activities shall not prejudice the legal rights or position of the Kingdom of Cambodia with respect to its international border,” it added. Cambodia called on the neighbouring kingdom to uphold the commitments stated in the December 27 Joint Statement, with a view to restoring mutual trust and confidence and fostering peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations along the common border between the two countries.

The ministry highlighted two relevant points of the joint statement. “Point 2, Both sides agree to maintain current troop deployments without further movement. There shall be no troop movements, including patrols towards the other side’s position,” and, “Point 3, Both sides agree that all arrangements under this Joint Statement are without prejudice to the border demarcation and international boundary between the two countries. Both sides agree to refer to the Joint Boundary Commission to resume, at the earliest, survey and demarcation work, in accordance with existing agreements between the two countries to achieve lasting peace along the border. Both sides agree to utilise the Joint Boundary Commission’s existing mechanisms to ensure safety and security of the joint survey team on the ground, including its safety from landmines.

Both sides agree that the Joint Boundary Commission will accord the first and foremost priority for the immediate survey and demarcation works in the affected border areas where the civilians resided.”