AKP Phnom Penh, March 09, 2026 --

The Royal Government of Cambodia said on Monday it is continuing “relentless and coordinated” efforts at home and abroad to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and protect its citizens through peaceful means in accordance with international law.

Speaking at a press briefing on the latest developments regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border developments, Royal Government Spokesperson H.E. Pen Bona said protecting national sovereignty and citizens remains the Royal Government’s top priority.

“As Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has emphasised, safeguarding territorial integrity and the people is the Royal Government’s highest priority,” H.E. Bona said at the Office of the Council of Ministers.

He said the Royal Government has been actively pursuing diplomatic and legal efforts both domestically and internationally to defend Cambodia’s territory and address alleged violations affecting Cambodian citizens along the border.

The remarks came as a Cambodian delegation led by Senior Minister H.E. Keo Remy, President of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, attended the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva from Mar. 2-5.

During meetings with representatives from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN special rapporteurs and member states, the delegation discussed strengthening cooperation on human rights issues and shared information about the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

H.E. Keo Remy told partners that tens of thousands of Cambodian civilians remain unable to return to their homes due to obstacles such as barbed wire barriers, shipping containers and damage to houses in areas affected by the Thai invasion.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Prak Sokhonn addressed the same UN Human Rights Council session in late February, stressing that human rights cannot advance sustainably without peace, while development is impossible without security.

He also said respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law must underpin relations between states and efforts to protect human dignity.

H.E. Prak Sokhonn raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of the armed tensions, saying the presence of Thai military forces in Cambodian villages remains a key obstacle preventing displaced civilians from returning safely and with dignity to their homes.

He reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to resolving the issue through peaceful mechanisms agreed by both sides and in line with international law.

At home, the Royal Government has been providing support to frontline soldiers and displaced civilians, with ministries and local authorities assisting residents who are able to return to their homes.

According to the Royal Government, nearly 93 percent of more than 640,000 displaced people have already returned.

About 45,000 others remain displaced and are being provided with temporary shelters and other assistance while authorities pursue diplomatic negotiations with Thailand aimed at clarifying the boundary between the two countries.

H.E. Pen Bona reaffirmed that Cambodia remains committed to the ceasefire and the provisions of a joint statement issued on Dec. 27, 2025, along with other agreements reached between the two sides.

He said Cambodia maintains a firm position in defending the international boundary established by the Franco-Siamese boundary commissions, in line with international law, including the principle of uti possidetis juris, as well as treaties, maps and boundary demarcation records agreed by both countries.

“Cambodia does not recognise any alteration of the border resulting from the use of force,” the Government Spokesperson reiterated.

By K. Rithy Reak