Phnom penh: Cambodian Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra has issued a strong protest against the Thai Prime Minister's unauthorised visit to the An Seh area, emphasizing that "maps establish the facts, and unauthorised presence cannot create sovereignty."

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the protest was made public through a Facebook message from the Minister, highlighting Cambodia's stance against the visit by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to the An Seh area, which Cambodia claims as its territory. The statement asserts Cambodia's rights and responsibilities to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, based on legal instruments, maps, and established facts.

The message underlines that the location of the An Seh area should be determined through relevant conventions, treaties, and boundary instruments, not by political rhetoric or unauthorised visits. The State Secretariat of Border Affairs of Cambodia identifies the An Seh area within Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province, using historical treaties such as the Franco-Siamese Conventions of 1904 and 1907 to support its claim. Cambodia also notes that even an unofficial Thai map places the area on the Cambodian side.

The Cambodian government argues that unilateral actions like flag planting, military presence, and official visits cannot create sovereignty. The message calls for Thailand to withdraw from the area, remove barriers, and respect the established boundary agreements. Cambodia insists that any action on the ground must align with both parties' commitments to prevent tensions and preserve the status quo.

The Minister's statement urges both nations to adhere to the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025, which emphasizes the importance of agreed-upon mechanisms like the Joint Boundary Commission for resolving boundary issues. Cambodia seeks a peaceful resolution but asserts that it will not tolerate infringements on its sovereignty.

The overarching question raised by Cambodia is why Thailand continues to establish a presence in the An Seh area despite the evidence and agreements indicating it as Cambodian territory. The Cambodian government calls for boundary issues to be addressed through legal means and mutually agreed-upon mechanisms, not through the creation of new facts on the ground.