Border Conflict
• 1 day ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Thai AOT and Armed Forces Cross into Khnar Temple Area Without Cambodia's Permission!
PHNOM PENH, July 2, 2026 – Cambodia's Commander-in-Chief has formally lodged a complaint with the Philippine military chief over what it describes as an unauthorised incursion by Thai-based ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) members and Thai armed forces into Cambodian territory near Khnar Temple.
In a letter dated June 29 addressed to General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, H.E. General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, expressed deep concern over the incident that occurred on June 26 in the vicinity of Khnar Temple, located in Kon Kriel commune, Samraong city, Oddar Meanchey province.
According to the letter, members of the Thai-based AOT, accompanied by Thai armed forces, crossed into Cambodian territory without prior notification or coordination with Cambodian authorities at any level. After entering, they proceeded to plant trees, an activity Cambodia considers beyond the agreed scope of the AOT's mandate.
ប្រភព និងរូបភាព៖ គេហទំព័រ ក្រសួងព័ត៌មាន
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces emphasised that the area in question lies within Cambodia's sovereignty, as clearly shown in the map attached as Annex "B" to the letter. Despite Cambodia's repeated clarifications on the location, the Thai-based AOT and Thai military continued to enter Cambodian territory without notifying or seeking approval from Cambodian authorities.
"The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces considers these actions inconsistent with the principles of neutrality, confidence-building, and mutual respect that form the foundation of the AOT mechanism," the letter stated. "Any actions taken beyond the agreed mandate, especially in sensitive border areas, risk undermining the trust that both sides have worked hard to build and could negatively affect ongoing efforts to achieve a peaceful and sustainable solution to border-related issues."
General Vong Pisen requested General Brawner's support in reviewing the above actions and ensuring that all AOT officers strictly respect the agreed Terms of Reference (TOR) and maintain the expected neutrality in their mission.
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces reaffirmed its commitment to continued close cooperation with the Philippine military and all relevant parties to maintain peace, stability, and positive dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand.
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
In a letter dated June 29 addressed to General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, H.E. General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, expressed deep concern over the incident that occurred on June 26 in the vicinity of Khnar Temple, located in Kon Kriel commune, Samraong city, Oddar Meanchey province.
According to the letter, members of the Thai-based AOT, accompanied by Thai armed forces, crossed into Cambodian territory without prior notification or coordination with Cambodian authorities at any level. After entering, they proceeded to plant trees, an activity Cambodia considers beyond the agreed scope of the AOT's mandate.
ប្រភព និងរូបភាព៖ គេហទំព័រ ក្រសួងព័ត៌មានThe Royal Cambodian Armed Forces emphasised that the area in question lies within Cambodia's sovereignty, as clearly shown in the map attached as Annex "B" to the letter. Despite Cambodia's repeated clarifications on the location, the Thai-based AOT and Thai military continued to enter Cambodian territory without notifying or seeking approval from Cambodian authorities.
"The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces considers these actions inconsistent with the principles of neutrality, confidence-building, and mutual respect that form the foundation of the AOT mechanism," the letter stated. "Any actions taken beyond the agreed mandate, especially in sensitive border areas, risk undermining the trust that both sides have worked hard to build and could negatively affect ongoing efforts to achieve a peaceful and sustainable solution to border-related issues."
General Vong Pisen requested General Brawner's support in reviewing the above actions and ensuring that all AOT officers strictly respect the agreed Terms of Reference (TOR) and maintain the expected neutrality in their mission.
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces reaffirmed its commitment to continued close cooperation with the Philippine military and all relevant parties to maintain peace, stability, and positive dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand.
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
