AKP Phnom Penh, August 04, 2025 --

The spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defence this afternoon called on the international community to take action to halt Thailand’s aggressive acts against Cambodia’s territorial sovereignty.

“Cambodia calls on the international community—particularly partner countries that helped broker this hard-won ceasefire and who are committed to its full and effective implementation—to urge Thailand to immediately cease its aggressive actions and fully respect international law, especially Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, Under Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry, during a press briefing held at 4:00 p.m.

According to H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, the latest violation occurred at 11:00 a.m. today when Thai forces, accompanied by heavy machinery including excavators, entered the Anseh area—clearly within Cambodian sovereign territory—and proceeded to lay barbed wire, despite strong objections from Cambodian forces on the ground.

The Ministry of Interior of Cambodia also issued a response, condemning Thailand’s encroachment and warning that such actions further place Thailand in violation of international law.

In its official statement released this afternoon, the Ministry emphasised,

“1. Thailand is increasingly entangled in a legal trap, akin to a strategic advantage for Cambodia in international court. Cambodia is implementing a strategy of ‘extending the fishing line to catch the big fish.’ Thailand is the fish; Cambodia sits patiently with the rod in hand, waiting to strike. 

2. Thailand faces accusations of violating the sovereignty of another state under international law. It must be remembered that any military operation on another country’s territorial integrity without consent constitutes an act of aggression. This incident is clear evidence of Thailand’s difficulty in defending itself legally and will be remembered in history as the act of a state committing international aggression — a grave international crime. 

3. Thailand continues to violate the ceasefire agreement reached on July 28–29, 2025, which required an unconditional cessation of hostilities, a prohibition on troop movements, and a freeze on military build-up. This act undermines the efforts of the United States, China, Malaysia, military alliances, and several diplomatic observers who have visited the area to monitor compliance with the ceasefire. 

4. Thailand’s military operations on Cambodia’s sovereign territory amount to provocation, risking the outbreak of war, and pose a severe threat to peace and security along the shared border. 

5. These actions also reveal Thailand’s true intention to place itself first — a ‘Thai Attack First” approach — blatantly initiating conflict while attempting to shift the narrative. 

Cambodia reaffirms that on July 30, 2025, a delegation of foreign military attachés based in Cambodia visited the Anseh area, which lies within Cambodian territory. Cambodia remains patient, refusing to fall into hostile traps. Instead, we gather solid evidence to support our case before international legal institutions. We remain calm and collected, ‘calm like a snake, waiting for the fatal strike,’ as previously stated by the Prime Minister.”

By Heng Panha