Cambodian authorities have strongly rejected Thailand’s move to apply Thai law over Khmer villagers living in the disputed border area of Chouk Chey and Prey Chan in Banteay Meanchey province.

Banteay Meanchey governor Oum Reatrey issued a formal protest, saying the order by Sa Kaeo province in Thailand amounted to a serious threat to the rights of Cambodian citizens who have lived in the two villages for decades. He argued that Cambodian communities had been established there long before the 2000 border memorandum of understanding between the two countries.

Thai authorities last week posted large signs in the villages, demanding that residents leave within 15 days or face legal action, demolition of homes, and seizure of property.

Cambodia’s provincial government said Thailand has no authority to enforce its domestic laws in an area where the land boundary has never been fully demarcated. Officials warned that unilateral action could heighten tensions and breach past ceasefire agreements.

The head of Cambodia’s Observer Council, Men Nat, said Thailand’s civilian administration has no jurisdiction in the area and claimed the move was being driven by the Thai military under royal patronage.

Cambodian leaders have urged international attention. Prime Minister Hun Manet earlier wrote to the international community, saying Thailand’s actions not only threatened peace between the two nations but also posed risks to regional stability.

Cambodia’s Mine Action Centre has said there is clear evidence that Thai forces fired artillery shells into Cambodian territory over the weekend.

Heng Ratana, the director general of CMAC, wrote on Facebook that the shells bore identifiable codes showing the date of production, the country of origin, and the manufacturer. He insisted that Cambodia does not possess such munitions.

He pointed to incidents on September 27 in Preah Vihear province and earlier shelling in July in Pursat province as examples of Thai forces initiating attacks first. CMAC investigators, he said, had documented the ordnance in detail.

Thai media meanwhile, quoted army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree as accusing Cambodian troops of firing multiple rounds into Ubon Ratchathani province on September 28. Thai officials called for international observers to investigate, saying any cross-border shelling would breach the ceasefire agreement.

Cambodia’s defence ministry rejected the Thai claims, with spokesperson Maly Socheata stating that Thai troops opened fire twice on September 27 against Cambodian positions in An Ses village.

Former Prime Minister Hun Sen also called on international observers to visit the shell impact sites and conduct forensic examinations. He said any refusal by one side to allow access would show that side was responsible for the violation.

The cross-border exchanges come as tensions continue to rise along disputed stretches of the frontier, where both governments accuse each other of breaching past agreements.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has warned that two key agreements signed with Cambodia in 2000 and 2001 may face cancellation as tensions over the border continue to escalate.

Speaking on September 28, Anutin said his new government would propose a referendum on whether the agreements should be scrapped. He framed the issue as central to resolving long-standing disputes between the two countries.

The first agreement, signed in June 2000, established a framework for joint land boundary demarcation. It referred back to colonial-era treaties between France and Siam from 1904 and 1907, and has guided joint mapping and border pillar placement for more than two decades.

The second, signed in 2001, outlined cooperation over the overlapping claims area in the Gulf of Thailand, where the two sides have long disputed rights to oil and gas reserves. The zone covers more than 26,000 square kilometres and has been a source of friction since the 1970s.

Both agreements have faced growing criticism in Thailand, especially after recent clashes along the land border. Anutin told local media that parliament has already created a committee to study the agreements, while his government is preparing a public vote to decide their future.

Cambodia has repeatedly defended the validity of the 2000 memorandum of understanding, pointing to its nine articles, which lay out in detail the basis for land demarcation. Phnom Penh also argues that the 2001 pact was designed to turn a contested maritime area into a zone of shared development rather than conflict.

Border experts say the maritime issue is particularly sensitive. They note that Thailand has already secured bilateral deals with Vietnam since 1997, giving it control over roughly 30,000 square kilometres of sea once claimed by Cambodia. Of that, analysts estimate about 4,000 square kilometres could be considered Cambodian waters that were taken without direct negotiation.

The prospect of cancelling the agreements now raises the risk of further confrontation, both on land and at sea, between the two neighbours.

Interim observers have carried out an overnight inspection at the Cambodia–Thailand border following clashes between Thai troops and Cambodian villagers.

The observers, led by Malaysia under the Interim Observer Team (IOT), visited Prey Chan village in O’Bai Chorn commune, Ou Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, at 7:22 p.m. on September 17. The team returned to the site only minutes after leaving earlier in the evening, in order to assess the situation after tensions flared again.

According to Reuters, the houses where Cambodians live are claimed by Thailand as part of Ban Ya Kaew in Sa Kaeo province, while Cambodia says the same area belongs to Prey Chan village in Banteay Meanchey. The border there has remained undefined since the French colonial era in 1907. Analysts have long warned that it is the responsibility of governments to resolve border demarcation and that civilians should never be left to confront armed soldiers.

A Cambodian government source accused Thai mixed forces of seriously violating the spirit of past ceasefire agreements and the principles set out in the General Border Committee and the Regional Border Committee. The source said applying Thai domestic law within Cambodian territory was a grave breach of Cambodian sovereignty and international law, including the UN Charter, ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and other universally recognized principles.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence said unarmed Cambodian security personnel were also present to protect civilians while upholding the ceasefire and agreed principles between the two countries. The ministry insisted that Cambodia remains committed to addressing disputes peacefully and in line with international law.

Officials in Phnom Penh reported that at least 24 Cambodians were injured during the September 17 clashes. Victims included one soldier who was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet and a monk wounded in the abdomen.

Thailand’s Ministry of Defence, in a letter to international media, claimed that more than 200 Cambodians staged a violent protest against Thai troops who were laying barbed wire along the border. The statement said Thai forces responded by using tear gas and rubber bullets after Cambodian villagers allegedly threw stones at them.

Cambodia’s Human Rights Committee has condemned Thai troops for what it calls serious human rights violations against Cambodian villagers in Banteay Meanchey province.

The committee said Thai paratroopers and border forces fired weapons, tear gas, and rubber bullets at residents of Prey Chan village in O’Bai Chorn commune, Ou Chrov district, during an operation yesterday. It described the assault as an attempt to seize land and farmland that Cambodians have lived on for generations.

Maly Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence, also denounced the Thai forces, insisting Cambodia remains committed to resolving border disputes peacefully.

The statement accused Thailand of breaching the 2000 border memorandum, past ceasefire agreements, and commitments under the United Nations Charter, ASEAN Charter, and international human rights law.

Cambodia’s Interior Ministry issued a separate statement calling Thailand’s actions “an outrageous crime against humanity,” alleging Thai troops carried out a planned campaign of intimidation, including surrounding homes, farmland, and expelling families from their villages.

The New Generation Party joined the criticism, stating that the Thai operation constituted a serious breach of the spirit of previous border committee agreements.

Thailand’s side rejected the allegations. The Bangkok-based newspaper Khaosod quoted Surawit Daengjan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army’s First Region, who accused Cambodian soldiers of using women, children, and monks as cover while staging hostile actions on Thai territory.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated that border gates with Cambodia would remain closed until Phnom Penh meets three conditions within 30 days: withdrawing heavy weapons from border areas, cooperating in mine clearance operations, and effectively combating cross-border cyber scams.

Thai authorities claim they have provided Cambodia with intelligence pinpointing scam centres in Poipet, Koh Kong, Bavet, Svay Rieng, Mondulkiri, Preah Sihanouk, Phnom Penh, and Pursat. Cambodian officials previously denied knowledge of these locations.

Observers note the confrontation comes amid heightened tensions along the border, where disputes over territory have long complicated relations between the two neighbours.

China has reaffirmed its support for Cambodia’s ambitious Funan Techo Canal, a 180-kilometre waterway linking the Mekong-Bassac river system to the Gulf of Thailand.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol said Beijing would continue backing the project during talks on September 16 with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two sides also discussed upgrading National Road 3 between Kampot and Veal Renh, and expanding trade opportunities through free trade agreements.

The Funan Techo Canal is expected to cost around 1.7 billion US dollars and stretch from the Bassac River through Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep provinces before reaching the sea. Construction began in August 2024, with China providing the funding.

Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, described the canal as a historic undertaking that would provide infrastructure lasting for generations. But he also stressed the importance of fair compensation for families displaced by the works, noting past development projects had left some communities without justice.

The canal’s route passes through four provinces and will directly affect around 1.6 million people living along its banks. Officials say it will ease transport, boost trade, and strengthen Cambodia’s regional connectivity once completed.

A former lawyer at the Khmer Rouge tribunal has described China as Cambodia’s most unpredictable ally, suggesting Beijing is trying to balance relations with both Thailand and Cambodia even as tensions rise over their border dispute.

Kang Rithkiry wrote on Facebook on Thursday that China appears to be positioning itself as a future global leader in both economic and military terms.

He noted that while both Cambodia and Thailand purchase Chinese weapons, their approaches during the recent five-day border conflict were different. Thailand relied partly on Western-made and American aircraft, while Cambodia deployed air defense systems supplied by Russia and China.

According to Kang Rithkiry, the five-day war ended only after strong US pressure for a ceasefire. He argued that China, in contrast, seemed reluctant to intervene this time, unlike in 2008 when Beijing openly supported Cambodia during a similar border clash with Thailand.

On September 15, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported that Beijing and Bangkok had launched joint air force drills named Falcon Strike, scheduled to run through the end of the month in Thailand. The exercise will include a range of Chinese aircraft, including J10C fighter jets, which are being pitted against Sweden’s Gripen jets purchased by Thailand. Gripen fighters were also used in Thai strikes against Cambodia.

Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin sought to play down tensions, posting on his Facebook page that Beijing has consistently encouraged active dialogue since the start of the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute. He said both countries are close neighbors with no problem too great to resolve and urged them to seize the opportunity for reconciliation.

But Cambodian analysts voiced unease. Man Nat, head of the Cambodian Observation Council, told The Cambodia Daily’s Idea Talk program on September 16 that the timing of joint drills between China and Thailand could leave Cambodians disappointed in their so-called “iron-clad” friend.

Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, added that the partnership between Cambodia and China should not be mistaken for an exclusive alliance. He argued that in international relations, there are neither permanent friends nor permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

Observers in Cambodia say the border with Thailand should remain closed until both sides fully resolve their territorial disputes. They warn that reopening crossings prematurely could complicate future negotiations, unless Phnom Penh faces unavoidable pressure from a third country.

Speaking on The Cambodia Daily’s Idea Talk programme on September 15, researcher Meas Nee said allowing cross-border movement while troops still occupy contested areas would make it harder to settle the frontier dispute later.

He acknowledged that economic concerns are real but argued that sovereignty must come first, particularly as Cambodians remain anxious about losing land to Thailand.

Tensions have focused on Thai military positions in Banteay Meanchey’s Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages and other disputed areas where Thailand has reportedly built structures inside Cambodian territory. Analysts say these encroachments must be resolved before Phnom Penh and Bangkok can discuss reopening the border.

Meas Nee added that Thailand is worried about losing its export market in Cambodia. If the border remains shut, he said, Chinese and Vietnamese goods will dominate the Cambodian market, especially as they are often cheaper than Thai products.

His comments followed recent discussions between Cambodia and Thailand over reopening certain crossings at Japan’s request to maintain supply chains.

On September 10, Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha said the General Border Committee talks agreed to consider opening selected checkpoints to facilitate essential trade.

But three days later, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insisted any reopening would require multiple agreements, military arrangements, and full compliance with Thailand’s conditions.

Meanwhile, Thai defence official Wanchana Sawasdee was quoted by the newspaper Khaosod on September 11 as opposing border reopening outright, despite Japan’s appeal.

The Cambodia-Thailand frontier stretches more than 800 kilometres across seven provinces, with 10 international checkpoints and five local border gates. Heavy volumes of Thai agricultural products and goods are entered Cambodia daily through these routes, some continuing to Vietnam.

Since June 17, 2025, however, all crossings have been closed after the latest flare-up in border tensions.

A senior official at the Royal Academy of Cambodia has said China’s upcoming joint military drills with Thailand should not be seen as unusual, stressing that Cambodia’s close ties with Beijing do not prevent either side from strengthening relations with other countries.

Kin Phea, president of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy, wrote on Facebook on September 15 that international relations have no permanent friends or enemies, only interests. He noted that Cambodia and China are not bound by a military alliance like NATO, nor are they tied in the way Japan and South Korea are to the United States.

According to Kin Phea, every nation seeks to expand its diplomatic links as widely as possible to secure strategic benefits in politics, diplomacy, security, economics, and culture. He argued that Cambodia should not feel uneasy about China conducting air force drills with Thailand, since Beijing has broader strategic and economic interests with Bangkok, including trade, investment, and arms sales.

He added that while Cambodia cannot expect military intervention from China, the two countries can support each other diplomatically and politically in ways that do not harm their mutual interests. He urged Phnom Penh to deepen relations with multiple powers rather than rely too heavily on any single one.

Kin Phea also warned that global powers profit from regional conflicts, since wars create opportunities for arms sales. He said this reality should remind smaller nations like Cambodia to avoid being drawn into conflicts that serve the interests of larger states.

The comments came after Chinese state media Xinhua reported on September 15 that China and Thailand would hold a joint air force exercise called Falcon Strike in Thailand from mid-September until the end of the month.

Observers note that Thailand has allocated about 8.5 billion dollars for military modernization in 2025 alone. Over the past decade, Bangkok has purchased between 30 and 40 percent of its military equipment from China, including armored vehicles, advanced artillery systems, and 155-millimeter howitzers.

China’s ambassador to Cambodia has declared that relations between the two countries have deepened into what he described as an “all-season community of shared destiny” in the new era, symbolising trust and solidarity between the two nations.

In a message posted on his Facebook page on the night of September 10, Wang Wenbin said the partnership had opened new horizons for broader development and strategic cooperation across multiple sectors.

He highlighted communications infrastructure as a priority, saying the two governments would seek to drive regional economic integration through stronger transport links, logistics networks, and digital connectivity.

The ambassador also emphasized that China has played a pivotal role in shaping the international order through peaceful means, following Japan’s wars of aggression and the global fight against fascism, guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter, sovereignty, mutual respect, and shared success.

Speaking to The Cambodia Daily, Meach Sovannara, leader of the New Generation Party, said Cambodia’s best option is to maintain neutrality in its diplomatic and political relations with all countries, regardless of the circumstances. He added that with global order under strain, Cambodia not only needs to exercise vigilance in its international diplomacy but also uses diplomacy to strengthen its capacity to safeguard both its economy and national sovereignty.

Sovannara pointed out that Cambodia’s past experiences, from wars to territorial losses, national setbacks, and heavy human costs, should serve as lessons to help the country avoid repeating past tragedies.

On August 31, during a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to elevate ties further. He said the goal was to ensure the partnership delivers tangible benefits to both peoples while contributing to peace, stability, and development across the region and the wider world.

An interim ASEAN observer mission has arrived in Cambodia to monitor the situation along the border with Thailand following a ceasefire.

The Interim Observer Team, led by Rear Admiral Dato’ Pahlawan Asri bin Shukor, departed Phnom Penh on September 11 for Preah Vihear and Banteay Meanchey provinces to verify and report on conditions at the frontier. The team, which includes members from Indonesia and the Philippines, had arrived in Cambodia a day earlier.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said the deployment reflects ASEAN’s active involvement, particularly Malaysia’s leadership, in seeking a peaceful resolution to the dispute. Officials described the presence of the observers as evidence of a joint commitment to making the ceasefire durable and restoring peace, stability, and cooperation for people on both sides of the border.

At a press conference in Koh Kong after a General Border Committee meeting, Defence Minister Tea Seiha confirmed that Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to adjust military equipment and hardware along the frontier under ASEAN supervision.

Tea Seiha said the two countries had also agreed in principle on terms of reference to create a permanent ASEAN Observer Team, pending approval from both governments. Until then, he noted, the interim team would continue to play a crucial role in ensuring the ceasefire is respected.

Japan has also voiced concern. On August 22, its embassy in Phnom Penh urged both governments to implement the ceasefire agreement fully, stressing that stable relations between Cambodia and Thailand are essential for regional peace and development.

Cambodia and Thailand have opened talks on reopening a number of border crossings, responding to a request from Japan aimed at securing the flow of essential goods and stabilizing supply chains.

Defence minister Tea Seiha said in a statement on the outcome of the General Border Committee, or GBC, that beyond discussing border openings, both governments also agreed to ease tensions by adjusting troop deployments and military equipment along the frontier.

Tea Seiha added that the two countries reached a principal agreement on terms of reference for creating an ASEAN Observer Team, awaiting only final approval from both governments. In the meantime, both sides recognized the continuing role of the Interim Observer Team and agreed to keep using it to monitor compliance with the ceasefire.

The fate of 18 Cambodian soldiers currently detained in Thailand was also raised. Cambodia pressed for their release under the Geneva Conventions.

The minister-level GBC session was held on September 10 in Koh Kong province, with Tea Seiha representing Cambodia and Thai deputy defence minister Nattaphon Narkphanit leading the Thai delegation. Both sides agreed to hold another special GBC meeting within 30 days, this time hosted by Thailand.

Thai outlet Khaosod quoted Nattaphon as saying the meeting approved pulling heavy weapons out of the border zone to help restore normal conditions. He noted that any easing of border restrictions would apply only to cargo transport, not passenger crossings.

Nattaphon said the push to reopen came from Japan, which argued that the conflict was causing wider disruption to third countries.

On August 22, the Japanese Embassy in Phnom Penh highlighted Tokyo’s concerns following a regional mission by SUZUKI Hideo, Ambassador for Mekong Cooperation. The embassy urged full implementation of the ceasefire and steps to reduce tensions, saying stable ties between Cambodia and Thailand are vital for peace and development across the region.

The regional delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says the 18 Cambodian soldiers detained by Thai forces have been able to contact their families for the first time through messages delivered by the humanitarian organization. The ICRC also confirmed that all of the soldiers are safe and in good health.

In a meeting with senior officials at Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence on September 9, Jurg Montani, the ICRC’s regional delegate, met with Secretary of State Rat Dararath. Montani assured the ministry that the 18 soldiers captured after the official ceasefire are being held safely and are in good condition. He added that Red Cross staff delivered family messages to the soldiers and that they were able to write back in line with the Geneva Conventions.

Montani stressed that the letters remain confidential, with their contents known only to the soldiers and their families. Even the ICRC staff have no access to what is written.

As of September 10, the soldiers have been in Thai custody for 43 days. This marks the second time Cambodia has received news of its status since its capture by the Thai forces. On August 1, three of the detained soldiers were handed back to Cambodia, leaving 18 still held.

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence continues to call on Thailand to release the soldiers and allow them to reunite with their families, arguing that they were stolen after the ceasefire was declared on July 29.

On July 30, Brigadier General Chan Sopheatra, commander of the Preah Vihear operational sector, told military attachés and diplomats from 13 countries that Thai forces had used a ruse to capture 20 Cambodian soldiers after the ceasefire.

Thai newspaper Khaosod reported on August 4 that the Royal Thai Army considers the 18 as prisoners of war. The Thai side has said it is preparing to repatriate the Cambodian soldiers once conditions fully stabilize.