PHNOM PENH/BANGKOK, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia registered its strongest protest against the illegal installation of road obstructions conducted by Thai armed forces in the border area, while the Thai side said that the move was a carefully considered security measure, in line with the joint statement agreed upon by both countries on Dec. 27, 2025.
"In the latest protest, Cambodia categorically objected to the obstruction of access with containers and a road construction in the provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Pursat," said a press release of the Cambodian foreign ministry on Sunday.
On Thursday, Thai armed forces placed containers to block road access at two locations in Oddar Meanchey province, the press release said, adding that two days later, Thai armed forces commenced road construction extending from the container blockade site.
On Saturday, additional containers were placed by Thai armed forces at a location in Pursat province, the press release said.
These locations are situated well within Cambodian territory, the press release said, adding that these actions directly contravened the de-escalation measures agreed upon under a ceasefire signed on Dec. 27, 2025, and were in breach of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter.
A spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy said on Saturday that Thailand's Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command has placed containers in the Thai-Cambodia border area, which is a carefully considered security measure in line with the joint statement agreed upon by both countries on Dec. 27, 2025.
Rear Admiral Paraj Ratanajaipan said in a statement that this action was deemed necessary to address not only the incident on Jan. 15, 2026, in which individuals illegally cut and dismantled barbed wire fences in the area, but also the fact that the incident led to additional, ongoing, tense encounters up until Jan. 17, 2026. The placement of the containers is a temporary measure to prevent further incidents, reduce confrontation, and lessen tensions in the area.
Containers were placed only where necessary, not along the entire troop deployment line, and specifically in areas previously affected by acts of vandalism or unrest, to address problems directly and appropriately, he said. ■