News: The Cambodia Daily
12th-3-2026
A Cambodian political observer is urging the government to adopt three major measures simultaneously to respond to what he describes as Thailand’s encroachment along the border.
Men Nath, president of the Cambodia Watchdog Council, said Phnom Penh should act on three fronts. These include defending Cambodia’s territorial integrity on the ground, intensifying diplomatic pressure at the highest international level to demand that Thai forces withdraw from Cambodian territory, and filing urgent cases against Thailand at both the International Court of Justice [ICJ] and the International Criminal Court [ICC].
Writing on his Facebook account on Thursday, Men Nath said the actions of Thai troops, such as deploying shipping containers, installing barbed wire, building permanent structures, erecting statues, and digging trenches on land he claims belongs to Cambodia, amount to acts of invasion and serious violations of international law.
The social commentator stated that since the two countries agreed to a ceasefire at the end of December 2025, Thai forces have continued to expand their presence inside Cambodian territory. He argued that Cambodia’s government has yet to take concrete measures to halt what he called ongoing incursions.
Men Nath said numerous photos and video clips circulating on Facebook appear to show Thai forces continuing activities inside disputed areas despite the ceasefire that took effect on December 27.
On March 11, Cambodian social media users shared images that they said showed Thai soldiers taking control of a CE brand fuel station in the Thma Da area of Pursat province. The station is believed to belong to a Cambodian company, and signage at the site reportedly includes Khmer language text reading “supermarket.”
Earlier, on March 9, another video circulated online appearing to show the construction of a large Buddha statue on what is known as Mountain 400 in the Ta Sim area near Phnom Troup in Preah Vihear province. A separate clip shared on March 8 appeared to show Thai soldiers raising their national flag on Mountain 225 near Ta Krabey temple.
Additional footage posted online shows what appears to be the construction of concrete bunkers around Ta Moan Thom temple in Oddar Meanchey province. Another video reportedly shows Thai troops digging trenches in the Cham Te area of Preah Vihear province, which observers say could block the movement of Cambodian troops and establish new defensive positions, including barriers against armoured vehicles.
Other clips shared online show groups of civilians and soldiers gathering to sing Thailand’s national anthem at Ta Krabey temple. Additional videos appear to show Thai troops demolishing homes, installing barbed wire, placing shipping containers, and deploying additional forces in areas of Cambodia that Thailand is said to occupy. These areas include parts of Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Pursat provinces.
Cambodia’s opposition figures also said on Thursday that Ta Mok House at the Cham Sangam border crossing in Anlong Veng district of Oddar Meanchey province remains under Cambodian control. However, they claim another Ta Mok House located in the Cham Te area of Choam Ksan district in Preah Vihear province has already fallen under Thai military control. A third site, known as the Red House near Preah Vihear temple, is also said to be under Thai control.
Earlier, on February 23, Banteay Meanchey provincial governor Um Reatrey said Thai forces had fenced off three areas of Cambodian land in the province. According to the governor, Thai troops installed more than one hundred shipping containers and stretches of barbed wire across about 20 locations, covering an estimated 763 hectares of land.
Um Reatrey said similar activities have also been reported in other provinces along the Thai border, including the construction of new bunkers, deployment of containers, installation of barbed wire, excavation of trenches, and the erection of monuments.
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Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand in Kaula Lumpor, Malaysia: Read here or download in English.
