Border Conflict
• 46 minutes ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Minister Neth Pheaktra Highlights The Diplomat Report on Border Violations and Civilian Casualties
PHNOM PENH, August 19, 2026 – Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra has drawn attention to a detailed report by The Diplomat, which presents evidence challenging Thailand's military claims and documenting civilian casualties and border violations by Thai forces.
In a statement, the Minister highlighted a lengthy article published by The Diplomat on August 18, authored by Lindsey Kennedy and Nathan Paul Southern, which focused on several issues including the border situation and technology-based fraud. The Minister extracted key information related to border violations and unlawful actions by Thai forces on Cambodian territory, summarising three main points from the report: first, direct testimony from a survivor stating there were no Cambodian military personnel at the site attacked; second, the authors' direct observation of civilian buildings being bombed and burned; and third, reporting on the presence and activities of Thai military forces in locations identified as Cambodian territory.
The Diplomat report featured testimony from Paul, a Nigerian national held at the Cham site, who stated that he had never seen Cambodian soldiers or military vehicles in the compound before the attack. However, hours before the December 27, 2025 ceasefire took effect, attacks began with drones and subsequent bombing, repeatedly targeting the main hotel-casino. Paul stated: “I never saw any Cambodian soldiers. Nobody was shooting back. It was only Thai military attacks.”
At O’Smach, the authors reported arriving shortly after an airstrike and witnessing multiple buildings on fire. These locations housed human trafficking victims, many of whom could not leave freely. The authors also noted that during several visits to O’Smach and Thmor Da from July 2025 onwards, they observed Thai surveillance drones closely monitoring areas with large numbers of people, but found no evidence that the targeted buildings were being used as Cambodian military bases.
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The report also documented Thai military presence on Cambodian territory, including container walls, roadblocks, and troop positions at Thmor Da, and warning shots fired from Thai positions when the authors attempted to inspect a casino located on Cambodian soil at O’Smach. Within 12 hours, Thai forces opened fire again during a visit by an international delegation, including diplomats and military attachés, to inspect the border area.
Minister Neth Pheaktra stressed that the border issue is not a one-time conflict but involves respect for the ceasefire, refraining from creating unilateral ground realities, and ensuring that displaced civilians can return to their homes and land safely, voluntarily, and with dignity. The placement of containers, barbed wire, roadblocks, or military positions that restrict access to homes and land cannot be considered normal security measures if they enforce control over territory claimed by Cambodia.
The most important message from these testimonies, the Minister said, is that claims by any military side that they target only military objectives cannot be accepted at face value. When survivors say they saw no Cambodian military presence, when journalists see civilian buildings attacked, and when post-attack sites are occupied by foreign forces, the demand for independent investigation and accountability under international law becomes essential.
— Source: H.E Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Ministry of Information
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
In a statement, the Minister highlighted a lengthy article published by The Diplomat on August 18, authored by Lindsey Kennedy and Nathan Paul Southern, which focused on several issues including the border situation and technology-based fraud. The Minister extracted key information related to border violations and unlawful actions by Thai forces on Cambodian territory, summarising three main points from the report: first, direct testimony from a survivor stating there were no Cambodian military personnel at the site attacked; second, the authors' direct observation of civilian buildings being bombed and burned; and third, reporting on the presence and activities of Thai military forces in locations identified as Cambodian territory.
The Diplomat report featured testimony from Paul, a Nigerian national held at the Cham site, who stated that he had never seen Cambodian soldiers or military vehicles in the compound before the attack. However, hours before the December 27, 2025 ceasefire took effect, attacks began with drones and subsequent bombing, repeatedly targeting the main hotel-casino. Paul stated: “I never saw any Cambodian soldiers. Nobody was shooting back. It was only Thai military attacks.”
At O’Smach, the authors reported arriving shortly after an airstrike and witnessing multiple buildings on fire. These locations housed human trafficking victims, many of whom could not leave freely. The authors also noted that during several visits to O’Smach and Thmor Da from July 2025 onwards, they observed Thai surveillance drones closely monitoring areas with large numbers of people, but found no evidence that the targeted buildings were being used as Cambodian military bases.
photo_4_2026-08-19_15-07-00.jpgThe report also documented Thai military presence on Cambodian territory, including container walls, roadblocks, and troop positions at Thmor Da, and warning shots fired from Thai positions when the authors attempted to inspect a casino located on Cambodian soil at O’Smach. Within 12 hours, Thai forces opened fire again during a visit by an international delegation, including diplomats and military attachés, to inspect the border area.
Minister Neth Pheaktra stressed that the border issue is not a one-time conflict but involves respect for the ceasefire, refraining from creating unilateral ground realities, and ensuring that displaced civilians can return to their homes and land safely, voluntarily, and with dignity. The placement of containers, barbed wire, roadblocks, or military positions that restrict access to homes and land cannot be considered normal security measures if they enforce control over territory claimed by Cambodia.
The most important message from these testimonies, the Minister said, is that claims by any military side that they target only military objectives cannot be accepted at face value. When survivors say they saw no Cambodian military presence, when journalists see civilian buildings attacked, and when post-attack sites are occupied by foreign forces, the demand for independent investigation and accountability under international law becomes essential.
— Source: H.E Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Ministry of Information
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
