AKP Phnom Penh, October 10, 2025 --

The Spokesperson of the Royal Government of Cambodia, H.E. Pen Bona, has strongly condemned the unlawful actions of Thai forces that violated Cambodia’s sovereignty in Prey Chan village, O’ Beichoan commune, O’ Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province on Oct. 10.

In a special statement this afternoon, H.E. Pen Bona said that at 10:30 a.m., Thai forces equipped with batons, shields, and heavy machinery conducted a mine clearance operation at the same location where they had previously infringed on Cambodian sovereignty by laying barbed wire and tires on Aug. 13, 2025.

He added that the Headquarters of the 51st Infantry Brigade under Military Region 5 of Cambodia had lodged a protest and requested the Thai side to immediately suspend the operation; however, the Thai forces continued their violations.

The Cambodian side stressed that any humanitarian demining activities along the border between the two countries must follow the agreed procedures—beginning with the establishment of a Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF), followed by the development of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and subsequent discussions to reach mutual agreement on identifying priority areas and pilot sites for humanitarian demining.

H.E. Pen Bona emphasised that the actions of the Thai forces constitute serious violations of the ceasefire agreement, the spirit of the General Border Committee (GBC) and Regional Border Committee (RBC) meetings, the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, as well as human rights principles and international humanitarian law.

The Spokesperson affirmed that the current activities of the Thai forces are being closely monitored by the Interim Observer Team (IOT) on site.

The following is the full press statement of the Spokesperson of the Royal Government of Cambodia:

By Heng Panha