Phnom penh: Cambodia has lodged a formal protest against Thailand, alleging that the Thai navy encroached on its territorial waters and arrested three Cambodian fishermen, demanding their immediate release. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement late on February 22, 2026, highlighting the unauthorized presence and unlawful enforcement of laws by a Thai navy vessel within Cambodian territorial waters on that date.

According to Thai News Agency, the statement detailed that Thai authorities arrested three Cambodian nationals and seized a fishing boat approximately 7.2 nautical miles off Koh Yo Island in Cambodia's Koh Kong Province. This action is perceived as a blatant violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international law.

In response, Cambodia is calling for the immediate release of the detained Cambodian nationals and the return of the seized fishing vessel. The Cambodian government also demands that Thailand cease all naval patrols and unauthorized law enforcement activities within its territorial waters.

Furthermore, Cambodia urges Thai authorities to implement measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.