Watchers Question How Much Territory Cambodia Has | RSS.com
Observers are raising fresh questions about how much Cambodian territory has been lost to Thailand and which areas are now under Thai control, amid growing public concern over transparency and accountability.
Analysts say both the government and the public are aware of what they describe as Thai encroachment into Cambodian territory. However, they argue that ordinary citizens still lack clear and official information on the exact scale of land loss, the locations involved, and which institutions are responsible for publicly reporting these figures.
Writing on social media, social development researcher Meas Nee said that after acknowledging Thailand’s actions, both the Cambodian government and its citizens should also study how Thailand operates strategically. He noted that in past conflicts with Cambodia, Thailand involved a wide range of actors, including the military, government officials, politicians and analysts, who worked collectively.
Meas Nee argued that Thailand tends to act decisively rather than relying on rhetoric, pointing to what he described as visible and widely acknowledged incursions into Cambodian territory. By contrast, he said Cambodia often focused more on statements than action.
The social commentator also expressed sympathy for Cambodian soldiers defending the country’s territory, saying it was tragic that internal disputes continued even as foreign forces were accused of pushing border markers deeper into Cambodian land. He added that senior officials argued at higher levels, while lower level officials continued to insult and accuse fellow citizens without pause.
Armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand erupted twice in 2025, first from July 24 to July 28, and again from December 7 to December 27. Thailand claimed success in reclaiming territory it said belonged to it, while Cambodia acknowledged losing control of certain areas.
On January 2, 2026, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai troops had illegally occupied 14 locations across four provinces following 21 days of fighting in December 2025. These included three areas in Banteay Meanchey, two in Pursat, three in Preah Vihear and six in Oddar Meanchey.
The ministry listed the affected locations as Chouk Chey village, Prey Chan village, Boeng Trakuon village, Phluk Damrei area, the Thma Da international border gate also known as Chey Chamnas, An Seh area, Ta Thav, Phnom Trop, the O Smach area, Prasat Khnar, Ta Krabey temple, Ta Moan Thom temple, Choub Angkun area and Chok Kruos area.
However, opposition parties have disputed the official figures, claiming Cambodia lost not 14 but 41 locations during the 21 day conflict. They say more than 110,000 Cambodians were displaced, losing land, property and homes.
According to these claims, Thai forces seized areas including Ta Moan Thom temple, Ta Moan Toch temple, Ta Krabey temple, Prasat Khnar, the An Seh crossing, hills known as 350, 225, 500, 323 and 677, along with 31 other locations.
The same sources said Cambodian forces now control only 13 locations after the fighting, including Preah Vihear temple, Phnom Khmoch, Hill 330, Five January, Veal Intry, Phnom Trangol, Pillar Eight, Mum Bei, Thmor Airfield, Sambok Khmum, Area 75, Hill 333 and Hill 398.
Thailand’s Bangkok Post reported on December 22, 2025, that by the 16th day of fighting, Thai forces had captured 16 front line positions. It said Thailand fully controlled seven of them, including Ta Krabey temple and the An Seh area, while five other positions were captured but remained under observation. Areas still contested reportedly included Phnom Trop.
The Cambodia Daily said it had been unable to reach government spokesperson Pen Bona for comment at the time of publication.
