MoD: 8.2 km Inside Cambodian Territory, Hit by Thai Airstrikes

PHNOM PENH, August 20, 2026 – The Ministry of National Defence has confirmed that an ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) visit to Poipet took place at a site located 8.2 kilometers inside Cambodian sovereign territory, an area that was struck by Thai airstrikes using F-16 fighter jets in December 2025.

The field visit, coordinated by the Cambodian Liaison Group (CLG) on Thursday morning, brought the AOT-KH team, led by its Head of Mission from the Philippines, to the Poipet International Border Checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey Province to observe, verify, and report on the ceasefire implementation.

The ministry emphasized that the affected location, situated in Phsar Kandal Village, Phsar Kandal District, lies deep within Cambodia’s territory—approximately 8.2 kilometers from the Poipet International Checkpoint. The site was used by innocent civilians for their daily businesses before it suffered severe destruction from Thai military airstrikes. To date, these civilian areas remain unable to resume operations, leaving local livelihoods severely impacted.

Cambodia reaffirmed its full support for the ASEAN Observer Team and underscored the critical importance of strengthening the AOT's mandate to conduct on-site visits and verify the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire, in line with the December 27, 2025 Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC), the October 26, 2025 Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement, and other relevant agreements aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and mutual trust.

— Source: Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bod4DvwH5/

Reported by The Khmer Today