The deliberate firing of a 40-mm grenade round by the Cambodian side into Thai territory in the vicinity of the Phlan Hin Paet Kon area, Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province, on 24 February 2026 constitutes yet another clear violation of the Joint Statement agreed upon by Thailand and Cambodia on 27 December 2025, in particular: Paragraph 1, under which both sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire involving all types of weapons and to avoid unprovoked firing towards the other side’s positions or troops; and Paragraph 6, under which both sides agreed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions.

This repeated pattern of intentionally provocative conduct by Cambodia, which endangers the safety of Thai personnel and escalates tensions on the ground, cannot be characterized as minor incidents. Thailand is therefore compelled to undertake provisional stabilization measures, with a view to minimizing the risk of casualties from any future incidents. Such measures are strictly defensive in nature and are undertaken without prejudice to the ongoing survey and demarcation of the boundary in accordance with Paragraph 3 of the Joint Statement.

With regard to the MOU on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary (MOU 2000), Thailand recalls that the Cambodian side has, on multiple occasions, failed to comply with its obligations under Article V of the said MOU; for instance, Cambodia constructed a community market and Ta Om Equestrian Monument on land encroaching the Thai side of the watershed in the area of An Mah-An Ses point of entry, and also constructed its administrative building within Thailand’s sovereign territory in Ta Phraya District, Sa Kaeo Province.

In this regard, Thailand has exercised the utmost restraint and lodged multiple protests since 2010, but regrettably these were not acted upon by the Cambodian side. The absence of cooperation and compliance from the Cambodian side stands in contrast to the Cambodian side’s stated commitment to good-faith cooperation, sincerity and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Thailand reiterates its firm commitment to the mechanism established under MOU 2000 as the sole framework for the survey and demarcation of the land boundary between the two countries. Thailand takes note of Cambodia’s proposal to convene a Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting, and will respond in due course following the formation of the new Cabinet.

Thailand maintains that technical survey and demarcation activities on the ground cannot proceed while the situation along the border has not yet stabilized, and danger is still posed to the Joint Survey Team. Thailand hence calls upon the Cambodian side to move beyond verbal assurances and to implement concrete and verifiable measures to restore stability and ensure the safety of the relevant personnel.