National
• 3 hours ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
ASEAN Observer Team Inspects Thai Military Occupation in Oddar Meanchey, 366 Civilians Still Displaced
PHNOM PENH, August 27, 2026 – The ASEAN Observer Team in Cambodia (AOT-KH), led by its Head of Mission from the Philippines, has conducted a field visit to inspect illegal Thai military activities in Oddar Meanchey province, where 366 Cambodian civilians remain unable to return to their homes, according to a Ministry of National Defence press release.
The visit, coordinated by the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) on August 27 at 10:00 AM, took place at the O’ Smach International Point of Entry, specifically in the O’ Kla Khmom area of O’ Kla Khmom Village, O’ Smach District, Samrong Municipality.
The team observed and verified the illegal deployment of shipping containers, barbed wire, trenches, embankments, roads, and the continued occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai military forces. These activities have prevented 366 Cambodian civilians—98 families, including 190 women and 101 children—from returning to their homes.
Photo: Ministry of National Defence
The Ministry of National Defence emphasized that the AOT's observation underscores the urgent need for the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to resume border demarcation work as soon as possible, in line with the December 27, 2025 Joint Statement, which aims to ensure that civilians can return safely, peacefully, and with dignity.
Cambodia reaffirmed its firm stance on protecting its international border based on the Franco-Siamese Conventions and Treaties, boundary protocols, maps, MOU 2000, TOR 2003, and other relevant agreements. The ministry stated that Cambodia does not recognize any border alterations resulting from the use of force or illegal territorial occupation, and will continue to formally protest any unilateral actions by Thailand.
— Source: Ministry of National Defence
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
The visit, coordinated by the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) on August 27 at 10:00 AM, took place at the O’ Smach International Point of Entry, specifically in the O’ Kla Khmom area of O’ Kla Khmom Village, O’ Smach District, Samrong Municipality.
The team observed and verified the illegal deployment of shipping containers, barbed wire, trenches, embankments, roads, and the continued occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai military forces. These activities have prevented 366 Cambodian civilians—98 families, including 190 women and 101 children—from returning to their homes.
Photo: Ministry of National DefenceThe Ministry of National Defence emphasized that the AOT's observation underscores the urgent need for the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to resume border demarcation work as soon as possible, in line with the December 27, 2025 Joint Statement, which aims to ensure that civilians can return safely, peacefully, and with dignity.
Cambodia reaffirmed its firm stance on protecting its international border based on the Franco-Siamese Conventions and Treaties, boundary protocols, maps, MOU 2000, TOR 2003, and other relevant agreements. The ministry stated that Cambodia does not recognize any border alterations resulting from the use of force or illegal territorial occupation, and will continue to formally protest any unilateral actions by Thailand.
— Source: Ministry of National Defence
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
