AKP Phnom Penh, February 16, 2026 --

The Royal Government of Cambodia on Monday escalated its diplomatic standoff with Thailand, formally accusing its neighbour of violating international law and UN and ASEAN Charters through the military occupation of disputed border territories.

In a briefing at the Office of the Council of Ministers, Royal Government Spokesperson H.E. Pen Bona characterised the Thai military presence as a direct assault on Cambodian sovereignty.

"The occupation of a sovereign state’s territory through military force is in total contradiction to the ASEAN Charter, the United Nations Charter, and international law," he stated.

The spokesperson detailed a deteriorating situation for civilians, alleging that Thai forces have destroyed homes and looted private property. He argued these actions constitute "grave violations" of the Geneva Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Royal Government claims the standoff has displaced vulnerable populations – including women, children, and the elderly – who are reportedly being barred from returning to their homes.

In response, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a series of formal protest notes to Bangkok, demanding an end to the "militarisation of civilian areas."

Concurrently, the Cambodian Human Rights Committee has petitioned regional and international bodies to intervene against what it termed the "serious abuse of Cambodian citizens' rights."

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet recently reaffirmed that territorial defence is the Royal Government’s "highest priority," while Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen stated the Kingdom would make "no concessions" regarding its national dignity.

The spokesperson concluded by reiterating Cambodia’s firm position in safeguarding the Cambodia-Thailand international boundary as inherited from the Commission of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, in full respect of international law principles, the principle of intangibility of frontiers (Uti Possidetis Juris), the Franco-Siamese conventions and treaties, the maps, and the procès-verbaux of the Commission of the Abornement of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, as well as all relevant agreements and documents mutually agreed upon by both parties.

"Cambodia will absolutely not recognise any alteration of the border line resulting from the use of force," he emphasised.

By K. Rithy Reak