Press Briefing: Update on the Development of the Situation between Cambodia and Thailand
11:00 AM, February 4, 2026
Samdech, Royal Highness, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning!
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia has lodged a formal strongest protest, on 3 February 2026, against Thailand regarding the unauthorized field visit by a group of foreign military attachés and law enforcement officials, led by Chief Intelligence of Thai Army at two hotels located in O Smach District, Oddar Meanchey Province of Cambodia on 2 February 2026.
The field visit was conducted without the consent of the Royal Government of Cambodia, which constitutes a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The hotels and grounds where the visit took place are situated 397 meters from the international checkpoint of O Smach which stands next to the border pillar No 15. The area has been taken control by force and occupied by Thailand’s armed forces, during their offensive between 7-27 December 2025.
Cambodia categorically rejects and objects to the operations carried out by Thai military forces, including the illegitimate exercise of Thai sovereignty through organizing above-mentioned trip, which violate the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter and amounts to attempt to legitimize its occupation of Cambodian sovereign territory.
While firmly rejecting Thailand’s actions, the Royal Government of Cambodia reaffirms its consistent and unwavering commitment to seeking a resolution to all boundary disputes with Thailand, as with all its neighbours, through peaceful means in accordance with international law, while remaining resolute in upholding its principled position that borders must not be changed by force.
The same day, The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia has formally conveyed a strong protest to the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Thailand regarding all activities undertaken by Thai authorities at the Tamone Temple Complex and Ta Krabei Temple.
The Ministry reaffirms that both temple sites are located entirely within the sovereign territory of Cambodia, as clearly established by the Franco-Siamese Treaties of 1904 and 1907 and their officially recognized maps, which remain valid under international law.
The Ministry expresses grave concern over reports of serious damage and near-total destruction of Ta Krabei Temple, a sacred and historic site that has been preserved for centuries and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Khmer people.
Cambodia can’t accept any use of force against cultural and archaeological sites, any unilateral restoration, conservation, registration, or construction activities conducted without Cambodia’s consent or any actions that undermine the legal, historical, and cultural status of these sites.
The Ministry has called upon the Thai side to immediately cease all activities at the Tamone and Ta Krabei temple sites, to respect Cambodia’s sovereignty, and to resolve all related issues peacefully and in accordance with international law. The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts remains committed to the protection of Cambodia’s cultural heritage and to cooperation based on mutual respect, legality, and the principles upheld by international organizations.
These protests constitute an evidence that the Royal Government of Cambodia will not remain silent in the face of violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty, and is pushing for a peaceful resolution of the border issue with Thailand in the spirit of the joint declaration dated December 27, 2025, point 3 stated that both sides agree to refer to the Joint Boundary Commission to resume, at the earliest, the survey and demarcation works, in accordance with existing agreements between the two countries to achieve lasting peace along the border.
