Cambodia calls PM Anutin’s border visit violation of sovereignty

Cambodia has protested Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s recent visit to a border area, describing it as “an unauthorised entry into Cambodian territory and a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty.”

Anutin visited Thai troops stationed at Hill 500, near the An Mah Pass in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani province, on Aug 23, where he was briefed on the latest situation and offered moral support to the troops.

Anutin also visited Sergeant Major First Class Chanaron Wongchana, 2nd Infantry Regiment, King’s Guard, who suffered serious injuries after stepping on a PMN-2 anti-personnel mine while carrying out a mission with a mine-clearance team in an area near An Mah Pass.

The incident, which occurred on Aug 17, resulted in the loss of his right ankle.

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Anutin’s visit to the area was a deliberate attempt to assert a territorial claim over Cambodian territory.

Cambodia maintains that the area has been illegally occupied by Thai armed forces since 2025, the ministry said.

It said the visit could not legitimise what it described as the illegal occupation. “No legal rights can be derived from this illegal act,” the ministry said.

Cambodia also referred to a 1:200,000-scale map produced by the Indochina-Siam Boundary Demarcation Commission and Point 1 of the Joint Declaration adopted at the Third Special Meeting of the General Boundary Committee on Dec 27, 2025.

According to the ministry, the joint declaration prohibits provocative actions that could escalate tensions along the border. It said the Thai prime minister’s visit was inconsistent with efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote stability along the border.

Cambodia reiterated that it does not recognise Thailand’s unilaterally declared border line or its territorial claims.

The ministry said neither a unilaterally drawn map nor actions based on such a map could alter what Cambodia considers the internationally recognised border line.

Cambodia called on Thailand to cease such actions in the area and in any other areas it considers to have been unlawfully occupied by Thai armed forces since last year.

The ministry said the move was intended to help de-escalate the situation, build mutual trust and facilitate a peaceful settlement of the disputes.

Cambodia also reiterated its commitment to resolving border disputes peacefully in accordance with international law and bilateral agreements.

It said the border must not be altered by force and that outstanding disputes should be addressed through established legal mechanisms and negotiations to maintain peace and stability.