Thailand–Cambodia Border Conflict

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TRACKED PUBLIC RECORD

What's New

SOURCES / ARGUMENTS / RECORD

Official material, institutional documents, analysis and scholarship, and significant reporting are tracked in a common bibliographic format, combining daily updates with a standing literature record.

Tracker last updated: 21 October 2026 at 05:59 GMT+9
01Official

Statements by the governments, foreign and defence authorities, militaries, and border authorities of both parties.

02Institutional

Documents from ASEAN, United Nations bodies, the ICJ, and humanitarian and mine-action institutions.

03Analysis & Scholarship

Journal articles, research reports, policy analysis, working papers, and substantial long-form analysis.

04Reporting

Reporting significant to the public record and based on fact-checking or original newsgathering.

SOURCE TRACKER

New material and accumulated debate

The default view is reverse chronological across all categories. In the category view, Analysis & Scholarship can be read as a standing bibliography.

Analysis & Scholarship inclusion policy

Entries are selected for a substantive analytical contribution. Inclusion does not signal agreement. Different and opposing interpretations are deliberately included, with the aim of building a usable bibliography of the debate rather than a curated argument.

CATEGORY
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24 RECORDS

Official
Official Thai account, accompanied by reporting of Cambodia’s positionEnglish

Thailand reports on confidence-building measures at the second UNCLOS conciliation meeting

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ThailandMinistry of Foreign Affairs of ThailandMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry reported discussions on confidence-building measures at the 14–18 October second UNCLOS conciliation meeting, including constructive public communications, avoiding misinformation and disinformation, restraint, dialogue and coordination. CamboJA News reported Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry’s announcement that both parties agreed on measures and recognized their right to make statements protecting legitimate rights or correcting misinformation.

Maritime boundary and UNCLOSCompulsory conciliationSecond meetingConfidence-building measuresPublic communications
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Official
Official Thai account, paired with reporting of Cambodia’s statementEnglish

Thailand’s CICA statement on the ceasefire and troop deployments

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ThailandMinistry of Foreign Affairs of ThailandMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry reported that Vice Minister Vijavat responded to Cambodia’s prime minister at CICA by affirming commitment to the ceasefire, including maintaining current troop deployments, and to diplomacy and dialogue. CamboJA News reported that Hun Manet called at the same summit for implementation of bilateral agreements, including border demarcation and confidence-building measures.

Ceasefire implementationCICATroop deploymentsConfidence buildingBoundary demarcation
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Analysis & Scholarship
Comparative analysis by Singapore-based institute researchersEnglish

What ASEAN Mediation Can and Cannot Do

Melinda Martinus; Fannesa Adisty LaksmitaISEAS–Yusof Ishak InstituteFulcrum / ASEANFocus

Martinus and Laksmita compare cases including the 2011 and recent Thailand–Cambodia conflicts, distinguishing ASEAN’s facilitation of dialogue from implementation of agreements. They propose continuity in mediation, follow-up arrangements and external cooperation that preserves ASEAN’s coordinating role.

ASEANMediationCeasefire implementationExternal involvement
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Official
Official Cambodian government record, paired with Thailand’s official participation announcementEnglish

His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn attends the Second Meeting of the Conciliation Commission under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) between Cambodia and Thailand

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of CambodiaMinistry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of CambodiaMinistry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia

Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, acting as Cambodia’s Agent, led a delegation and legal team attending the second meeting of the UNCLOS Conciliation Commission with Thailand at the Peace Palace in The Hague on the morning of 14 October. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow would lead the Thai delegation.

Maritime boundary and UNCLOSCompulsory conciliationConciliation CommissionSecond meetingProcedural progress
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Official
Official Thai position, paired with earlier reporting of Cambodia’s foreign minister’s positionEnglish

Thailand clarifies its US discussions and security conditions for JBC work

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ThailandMinistry of Foreign Affairs of ThailandMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry rejected Cambodian reporting that US officials had urged Thailand to stop activities raising tensions, and said JBC work required safety from landmines and transnational criminal threats. In related reporting on 28 September, Fresh News recorded Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn’s call to implement existing agreements and promptly resume JBC surveying and demarcation.

JBCBoundary demarcationCeasefire implementationLandminesUS involvement
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Analysis & Scholarship
Maritime policy analysis by a US-based research instituteEnglish

Bridging the Gulf? Thailand and Cambodia Turn to UNCLOS

Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI)Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI)

CSIS’s AMTI analysed Thailand–Cambodia compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS, examining the termination of the 2001 negotiating framework, overlapping maritime claims, and the parties’ positions on delimitation and joint resource development. The brief compared the Timor-Leste–Australia precedent and identified the scope of conciliation and the parties’ differing priorities as issues for the coming negotiations.

Maritime boundary and UNCLOSCompulsory conciliationOverlapping claims areaJoint developmentTimor-Leste and Australia
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Reporting
International wire reporting based on field reporting, presenting Cambodian displacement data and Thailand’s positionEnglish

In Cambodia's 'Waiting Village', tattooist mourns trade lost to war

Chantha Lach; Juarawee KittisilpaReutersReuters

Reuters reported from Rong Cham, a 400-hectare resettlement site containing more than 3,000 houses, where families displaced by the border fighting remained unable to return nine months after the ceasefire and residents supplemented lost livelihoods with other work. The article recorded Cambodia’s estimate that more than 20,000 people remained unable to return, Thailand’s denial of illegal occupation and statement that it was following the ceasefire agreement, and the continued closure of border crossings.

Displaced personsCivilian returnLivelihoodsCheckpoints and border closureCeasefire implementation
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Official
Official Cambodian government statementEnglish

UNCLOS Conciliation Commission Concludes its First Meeting between Cambodia and Thailand

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of CambodiaMinistry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of CambodiaMinistry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia

Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that the UNCLOS Conciliation Commission had concluded its first meeting with Cambodia and Thailand. The ministry published the release on 16 September.

Maritime boundary and UNCLOSCompulsory conciliationConciliation CommissionFirst meetingProcedural progress
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Reporting
Thailand-based comparative reporting of both parties’ opening statementsEnglish

Thailand and Cambodia back maritime settlement but differ over 2001 pact at Singapore talks

The Nation Editorial TeamThe Nation ThailandThe Nation

The Nation reported that both Thailand and Cambodia endorsed a peaceful, international-law-based settlement of their maritime boundary dispute in their 15 September opening statements to the UNCLOS Conciliation Commission. It recorded differing accounts of the end of the 2001 negotiating framework, Cambodia’s proposal for interim joint development, and Thailand’s focus on maritime delimitation and position that sovereignty over Koh Kood falls outside the proceedings.

Maritime boundary and UNCLOSCompulsory conciliation2001 negotiating frameworkJoint developmentKoh Kood
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of a Cambodian government domestic-support programmeEnglish

Cambodian Government Officially Launches “Comprehensive Intervention Program in Response to the Multi-crises Situation” Budgeted at Over $1.2 Billion to Stabilize Livelihoods and Businesses

Fresh NewsFresh News AsiaFresh News

Fresh News reported that the Cambodian government formally launched a comprehensive intervention programme comprising 27 measures with an estimated allocation of $1.2242 billion. Its livelihood and employment package includes support for displaced persons and migrant workers.

Displaced personsMigrant workersLivelihood supportEmploymentRelated domestic politics
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of a Cambodian government statementEnglish

Cambodia Strongly Protests against Unauthorised Entry of Royal Thai Air Force’s Helicopter into Cambodian Territory

Fresh NewsFresh News AsiaFresh News

Fresh News reported, citing a Cambodian government statement, that Cambodia protested an alleged 400-metre incursion by a Thai military helicopter near the Daung International Border Checkpoint in Kamrieng District on 3 September. Cambodia said the incident contravened the Chicago Convention and the 27 December 2025 GBC Joint Statement; no Thai response addressing the incident was confirmed within the permitted source list.

Ceasefire implementationGBC Joint StatementAirspaceCheckpointsDe-escalation
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of a Cambodian Defence Ministry briefing for foreign military attachésEnglish

Cambodia briefs foreign military attachés on border situation following ceasefire

Khmer TimesKhmer TimesKhmer Times

Khmer Times reported that Cambodian Defence Ministry Secretary of State Rath Dararoth briefed 22 members of the Military Attaché Corps in Phnom Penh on the Cambodia–Thailand border situation following the ceasefire.

External involvementCeasefire implementationMilitary diplomacyInformation sharingBorder situation
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Reporting
Thailand-based reporting of a Thai government agency’s positionEnglish

JIC chief says Francophonie cannot decide Thai-Cambodian border

The Nation Editorial TeamThe Nation ThailandThe Nation

The Nation reported that Thailand’s Joint Information Centre director said Cambodia could raise the border issue at the Francophonie, while boundary determination should be based on applicable law, evidence and mechanisms accepted by both countries. He distinguished international support for peace and fact-finding from allowing an international forum to determine the boundary.

External involvementFrancophonieJBCBoundary demarcationBilateral mechanisms
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of exchanges between both Senates and displacement on the Cambodian sideEnglish

Top Leaders’ Standoff Over Territorial Claims Continues While Displaced Residents Remain in Limbo

Phon SothyrothCamboJA NewsCamboJA News

CamboJA News reported the Cambodian Senate’s criticism of Thai border actions, the Thai Senate’s rejection of Cambodia’s allegations as unfounded, and the Cambodian Senate’s subsequent response. The report also records a Preah Vihear deputy governor’s statement that 691 families remained unable to return because of safety risks.

Ceasefire implementationCivilian returnJBCASEAN Observer TeamRelated domestic politics
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of a Cambodian government support requestEnglish

Pagodas urged to feed displaced during Pchum Ben

Khmer TimesKhmer TimesKhmer Times

Khmer Times reported that Cambodia’s Ministry of Cults and Religion called on pagodas nationwide to distribute surplus food and offerings during Pchum Ben to conflict-displaced people, destitute elderly people, persons with disabilities and orphans.

Displaced personsHumanitarian assistanceFood assistanceCivilian protectionReligious institutions
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of an AOT-KH activityEnglish

AOT-KH visits Cham Yeam Border Checkpoint to monitor Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire

Khmer TimesKhmer TimesKhmer Times

Khmer Times reported that the Cambodia-based ASEAN Observer Team, led by its Philippine head of mission, visited the Cham Yeam International Border Checkpoint in Koh Kong Province to observe, verify and report on implementation of the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire.

ASEAN Observer TeamCheckpointsCeasefire implementationMonitoring and verificationKoh Kong Province
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of claims made by a Cambodian government representative at an international meetingEnglish

Cambodia Raises Thailand’s Aggression against Its Sovereignty at 65th NAM Anniversary

Fresh NewsFresh News AsiaFresh News

Fresh News reported that Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea told the Non-Aligned Movement’s 65th-anniversary meeting that Cambodia regarded barbed wire, permanent infrastructure and civilian displacement as unilateral Thai actions inside Cambodian territory, and called for implementation of existing agreements, resumed bilateral mechanisms and safe civilian return. He presented compulsory UNCLOS conciliation as a peaceful procedure for addressing the maritime boundary dispute.

Non-Aligned MovementExternal involvementCivilian returnBilateral mechanismsMaritime boundary and UNCLOS
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of an AOT-KH activityEnglish

ASEAN Observers visit Cambodia-Thailand Boundary Pillar 72 in Koh Kong

Youn SreytiKhmer TimesKhmer Times

Khmer Times reported that the Cambodian Liaison Group coordinated an AOT-KH visit to Boundary Pillar 72 in Koh Kong Province for observation, verification and reporting on the situation along the Cambodia–Thailand border.

ASEAN Observer TeamJBCBoundary demarcationMonitoring and verificationCeasefire implementation
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of an explanation by Cambodia’s information ministerEnglish

A ceasefire cannot draw a new border: December 27 Joint Statement is not a boundary treaty, minister says

Youn SreytiKhmer TimesKhmer Times

Khmer Times reported that Information Minister Neth Pheaktra described the 27 December 2025 Joint Statement as a ceasefire and de-escalation arrangement rather than a boundary treaty, saying it could not be interpreted as granting territorial title or sovereignty to either party.

Ceasefire implementationGBC Joint StatementJBCBoundary demarcationTerritorial sovereignty
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of a CMAC briefingEnglish

CMAC Briefs Military Attachés, ASEAN Observers on Thai War Remnants in Cambodia

Fresh NewsFresh News AsiaFresh News

Fresh News reported that the Cambodian Mine Action Centre briefed military attachés and ASEAN observers on munitions remnants that the centre attributed to Thai forces during the 2025 conflict and on its clearance activities. CMAC said clearance continued in residential areas to support residents’ safe return, but the report records no independent determination by the observers.

Landmines and unexploded ordnanceASEAN Observer TeamCivilian returnMonitoring and verificationCivilian protection
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Reporting
Thailand-based reporting of Thailand’s response to a Cambodian proposalEnglish

Kingdom says no to new ceasefire monitoring body

Post ReportersBangkok PostBangkok Post

Bangkok Post reported that Thailand questioned the need for the new ceasefire-monitoring body proposed by Cambodia and said existing bilateral mechanisms should be used first.

Ceasefire implementationCeasefire monitoringBilateral mechanismsParliamentary diplomacyMonitoring and verification
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of a Cambodian government statementEnglish

Cambodia Protests Thai Heavy Machinery Incursion, Trench Construction in Oddar Meanchey

Fresh NewsFresh News AsiaFresh News

Fresh News reported, citing a Cambodian government statement, that Cambodia protested the alleged deployment of Thai military heavy machinery on 22 and 24 August to construct an earthen trench in the Chouk Krous area of Oddar Meanchey Province. Cambodia said the activity contravened MOU 2000 and the 27 December 2025 GBC Joint Statement; no Thai response addressing the specified site was confirmed within the permitted source list.

Ceasefire implementationGBCMOU 2000Boundary demarcationFront-line management
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of a proposal by the Cambodian Senate presidentEnglish

Cambodian Senate President Proposes Parliamentary Ceasefire Observer Team

Fresh NewsFresh News AsiaFresh News

Fresh News reported that Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen proposed establishing a parliamentary ceasefire observer team to work alongside existing mechanisms. He linked the proposal to strengthened international monitoring and preventing small border clashes from becoming prolonged conflicts, but the report records no decision to implement it.

Ceasefire implementationCeasefire monitoringParliamentary diplomacyMonitoring and verificationExternal involvement
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Reporting
Cambodia-based reporting of a Cambodian Defence Ministry statementEnglish

ASEAN Observer Team Inspects Poipet International Border Checkpoint

Fresh NewsFresh News AsiaFresh News

Fresh News reported, citing Cambodia’s Defence Ministry spokesperson, that the Cambodia-based ASEAN Observer Team visited the Poipet International Border Checkpoint and nearby commercial facilities to observe the post-ceasefire situation. The ministry attributed damage at the sites to Thai military strikes in December 2025, but the article records neither an AOT finding nor a corresponding Thai response.

ASEAN Observer TeamCheckpointsCeasefire implementationMonitoring and verificationCivilian infrastructure
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WATCH LIST

Sources monitored

PRIMARY

Official / primary material

Thai MFA / Cambodian MFAIC / ASEAN / ICJ / UNESCO / UN and UNCLOS / JBC, GBC, and RBC statements

REPORTING

International / local reporting

Reuters / Associated Press / Thai PBS / Bangkok Post / CamboJA / Cambodianess

ANALYSIS

Policy / scholarship

IDE-JETRO / IINA / NIDS / ICG / NBR / ISEAS / journals on international law and ASEAN

HUMANITARIAN

Humanitarian, mine, and heritage sources

ICRC / UN OCHA / Landmine Monitor / UNESCO / human-rights and displacement organizations