Phnom penh: Cambodia has reaffirmed that the location where Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stood during his visit to the An Seh area on August 23, 2026, is situated within Cambodian territory, emphasizing that sovereignty cannot be determined by a photograph alone.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information of Cambodia, communicated through a Facebook message on August 29 that while the photograph of the Thai Prime Minister in the An Seh area may demonstrate the presence of a senior Thai official at the location, it cannot determine territorial sovereignty.
The message highlights that internationally recognized documents, including conventions, treaties, and maps, clearly indicate that the location visited by Prime Minister Anutin is within the territory of Cambodia. The Cambodian government stresses that the presence of the Thai Prime Minister or military forces does not establish sovereignty, which should be determined based on legal documents like the Franco-Siamese Convention of 1904 and the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907.
Cambodia has expressed strong protest against what it considers an unauthorized entry into its territory, underscoring that the issue should be addressed through diplomatic mechanisms like the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). Cambodia maintains that any resolution regarding the boundary should be founded on legal documents and mutual agreements, and has called for Thailand to engage in discussions through the JBC, which has been delayed despite repeated proposals from Cambodia.
The ongoing dispute underscores the need for a diplomatic approach to resolve boundary issues, with Cambodia urging Thailand to demonstrate commitment to addressing these matters through established frameworks. Cambodia's position remains firm in not recognizing any alteration of the boundary through unilateral actions or military presence, emphasizing the importance of an agreed boundary-demarcation process.