AKP Phnom Penh, August 9, 2026 —

Cambodian Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra has reaffirmed that unilateral actions to create facts on the ground cannot override legal instruments, alter established boundaries or establish lawful territorial rights.

In a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon, H.E. Neth Pheaktra, citing officials of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs, said geographical facts, historical records and cartographic evidence could not be changed by unilateral claims.

He noted that the 1:200,000 map produced through the Franco-Siamese boundary delimitation process clearly places Prasat K’nar within Cambodian territory. He added that Thailand’s unilaterally produced 1:50,000 L7017 map also shows both Prasat Khnar and Tamone Thom Temple as being situated within Cambodian territory.

The Minister stressed that the use of armed force to seize or occupy these locations cannot create sovereignty or alter an international boundary, emphasising that military force cannot substitute for law and that occupation by force cannot constitute a lawful basis for territorial claims.

Cambodia considers the Thai military’s use of force to enter Cambodian territory and its continued occupation of locations there to be a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said, adding that Cambodia has lodged its strongest protests and categorically rejects any situation created through the use of force or unlawful occupation.

“Military occupation is not boundary delimitation. Creating facts on the ground cannot erase legal instruments, established cartographic evidence, or boundaries grounded in law,” H.E. Neth Pheaktra said.

He reaffirmed Cambodia’s firm commitment to resolving border issues peacefully, in accordance with international law and through border mechanisms mutually agreed upon by the two countries.

Thailand should therefore cease all unilateral actions aimed at creating new facts on the ground, respect Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and address outstanding border issues through peaceful and lawful means rather than military force, he added.

“Maps cannot be redrawn by force of arms, and international boundaries cannot be changed through military occupation,” the Minister concluded.

By C. Nika