AKP Phnom Penh, February 21, 2026 --

Cambodia has accused Thai military forces of occupying its territory and blocking the return of nearly 80,000 displaced civilians, while reaffirming its preference for a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the border dispute.

Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, Royal Government Spokesperson H.E. Pen Bona said Thai troops remain positioned deep inside Cambodian territory, with roads blocked by barbed wire and shipping containers, preventing civilians from returning to their homes.

He stressed that Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet’s recent statements to international media during his diplomatic visits to the United States and Europe reflect “the reality on the ground,” not unsubstantiated claims.

According to H.E. Pen Bona, the Prime Minister has raised the border issue in meetings with senior U.S. officials and is expected to do so in upcoming talks in Geneva and Brussels.

“Cambodia has never violated another country’s territory, but it will not accept any violation of its sovereignty,” the spokesperson quoted the Prime Minister as saying, adding that Cambodia rejects the use of military force to alter border lines.

Despite heightened tensions, Cambodia called on Thailand to immediately allow the Joint Border Commission (JBC) to resume technical demarcation work, in line with the Dec. 27, 2025 Joint Statement. With Thailand’s elections concluded, Cambodia said there are no remaining obstacles to progress.

Cambodia reaffirmed that its border claims are supported by international law, historical treaties, and independent observations by ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), foreign diplomats, and international organisations.

By K. Rithy Reak