MGR Online — A Cambodian official warned Thailand today (10) that military force cannot change international boundary lines, and rejected the stationing of Thai troops at the disputed temple, stating that such actions constitute a violation of Cambodia's sovereignty.
"Unilaterally creating facts on the ground cannot replace legal instruments, alter established boundaries, or create legitimate territorial rights," said Neth Pheaktra, Cambodia's Minister of Information.
An official from Cambodia's Secretariat of Border Affairs stressed that geographical facts, historical records, and cartographic evidence cannot be changed by unilateral claims.
The Cambodian official further claimed that the 1:200,000 map produced under the French-Siamese boundary delimitation process identifies Prasat Kna as lying within Cambodian territory, and asserted that even Thailand's own 1:50,000 L7017 map shows both Prasat Kna and Prasat Ta Muen Thom as falling within Cambodian territory as well.
"The use of military force to seize or occupy any site cannot create sovereignty or alter international boundaries. Military force cannot replace law," Neth Pheaktra reiterated.
Cambodia accused Thai military forces of violating its territorial integrity by seizing cross-border areas, and Phnom Penh has filed a protest against such actions while rejecting the situation, which it describes as arising from the use of force or illegal occupation.
"Military occupation is not border delimitation," Neth Pheaktra stated, adding that formally established legal instruments and cartographic evidence remain binding.
Cambodia called on Thailand to cease unilateral actions, respect Cambodian sovereignty, and resolve outstanding issues through peaceful and lawful means, via international law and mechanisms agreed upon with Thailand.
"The principle is clear: maps cannot be changed by armed force, and international boundaries cannot be altered by military occupation," Neth Pheaktra reaffirmed.
