PHNOM PENH – Cambodia’s Defense Ministry has denied that it has withdrawn troops from the disputed Ta Moan Thom Temple at the Thai border after the Bangkok Post reported that both governments had agreed to pull troops back.

“Cambodia’s and Thailand’s defense ministers agreed to maintain their troops at the same location along the border, meaning both sides still stand as partners at Ta Moan Thom Temple, with five troops from each side being kept to safeguard the area,” the ministry said.

“Both sides did not talk about troop withdrawal from the temple but have pledged to remain mutually communicative and keep each other informed to prevent any clashes or conflicts.”

Last week, the Post reported that Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said both countries agreed to remove the troops and exercise restraint, while the armed forces also discussed the issue, indicating a de-escalation of tension, not a weakening of Thailand's claim to the site.

Phumtham spoke after the 17th General Border Committee meeting in Bangkok.

While the meeting was being held on May 1, Thai nationalist groups, led by the Students and People's Network for Thailand Reform, the Dharma Army and the People’s Centre for Protection of the Monarchy, gathered to express concerns over potential disadvantage in overlapping territory discussions in the meeting.

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense condemned false accusations that Cambodia had withdrawn troops from its sovereign territory, claiming it was a malicious plan to incite internal division and destroy good relations with neighboring countries.

In February, verbal tension rose between the Cambodian and Thai armies over a symbolic act of singing the Khmer national anthem at the temple. This later de-escalated.

The Cambodian side stands by its position that singing the anthem at the temple is normal and not a violation, claiming that the temple is in Cambodian territory.

Ta Moan Thom Temple is in Kok Morn commune’s Ku village in Oddar Meanchey province.

Thailand claims this ancient Khmer temple in the Dangrek mountain range of Surin is in its territory, though the border demarcation is unresolved.

As of September 2022, Cambodia and Thailand have agreed upon and delineated 13 border regions, with talks continuing for 11 more. Both nations have agreed to refrain from developing or altering disputed areas until a final agreement is reached.

The Cambodia-Thailand border was drawn more than a century ago when Thailand, then known as Siam, and French colonial forces established its boundaries.

A French-made map was implicitly accepted by Thailand, but resentment resurfaced over claims that it was unfair. The most contentious territorial dispute centers on Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple.

Border issues were touched upon by former prime minister Hun Sen during his official visit to Timor-Leste.

He said in a speech that he has made significant efforts to maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries, having resolved and sealed more than 84 percent the border with Vietnam, 86 percent with Laos, and continued to resolve the problematic border with Thailand.