PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has issued a strong diplomatic protest against Thailand following the seizure of a Cambodian fishing boat and the arrest of four Cambodian fishermen by the Thai navy in what Phnom Penh says were Cambodian territorial waters off Koh Kong province earlier this month.
In a formal diplomatic note sent to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated that the incident occurred at approximately 11.30am on Jan 6, at coordinates 11°33'30"N and 102°51'39"E — a location Cambodia asserts lies unequivocally within its maritime sovereignty and jurisdiction.
The ministry condemned the action as a “serious and unacceptable violation” of Cambodia’s sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction, stressing that the seizure directly contravenes international law and undermines the principles of mutual respect and good-neighbourly relations between the two countries.
While Cambodia welcomed the release of the four fishermen on Jan 11, the ministry made clear that the matter remains unresolved.
Phnom Penh has formally demanded the immediate return of the seized fishing boat along with all confiscated fishing equipment, without conditions.
“The incident constitutes a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and jurisdiction,” the ministry said, urging Thai authorities to respect Cambodia’s maritime boundaries and legal rights.
Cambodia also called on Thailand to refrain from any similar actions in the future, warning that repeated incursions or enforcement activities in disputed or clearly demarcated Cambodian waters risk escalating tensions and eroding trust. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
