The Cambodia Daily
April 22, 2026
Observers of Cambodia’s political landscape say the government’s protests against what it describes as Thai territorial encroachment lack meaningful international backing and serve largely to reassure the public rather than change realities on the ground.
Men Nath, head of the Cambodian Watchdog Council, told The Cambodia Daily that without sustained international pressure, Thailand is unlikely to withdraw from the disputed areas it currently controls. He argued that Cambodia’s most viable option is to pursue international legal mechanisms, including through ASEAN, the United Nations, and the Paris Peace Agreements, or to take the case to an international court.
Men Nath warned that continued reliance on bilateral negotiations without external pressure risks cementing Thai control over contested territory. He said it would be unrealistic to expect Thailand to return land through talks alone, given that the areas were seized in violation of international law.
He added that the absence of international pressure has contributed to what he described as Thailand’s dismissive stance toward Cambodia, pointing to repeated refusals by Thai authorities to engage in negotiations. In his view, Cambodia lacks sufficient leverage to bring Thailand to the table.
On April 19, 2026, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement condemning what it called further illegal consolidation by Thai armed forces, describing it as a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the ministry, Thai forces have expanded their presence in multiple provinces across Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat provinces. Reported activities include the construction of observation posts, roads, and trenches, as well as land clearing using heavy machinery in several contested areas.
The Cambodian government has called on Thailand to halt all unilateral actions in these to ease tensions and build mutual trust.
Opposition figures claim that, following two past armed conflicts, Thai forces now control 58 locations inside Cambodian territory, with an additional eight areas lost before those clashes, bringing the total to 66 disputed sites.
In response, Hun Sen, a senior leader of the ruling party, released a nearly 40-minute audio message on April 15, rejecting opposition claims that these have been permanently lost. He said Cambodia would continue to seek its return through peaceful means rather than military action.
