Background
Border security governance between Cambodia and Thailand includes military communication channels, diplomatic engagement, and bilateral mechanisms for managing incidents along or near the frontier. The General Border Committee is a bilateral mechanism used by Cambodia and Thailand to address border-related matters through official dialogue. Official defence communications are an important record of how the Cambodian government frames security incidents, infrastructure damage, and commitments to international law.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence is the government institution responsible for national defence policy and official defence communications. Military attachés accredited in Phnom Penh serve as defence representatives of foreign governments and may be invited to observe security-related sites when a host government seeks external awareness of an incident. Civilian infrastructure damage can become a security and diplomatic issue when a government links the damage to cross-border military action.
Stung Meteuk Bridge in Pursat Province was described by the Ministry of National Defence as purely civilian infrastructure located dozens of kilometers from the Cambodia-Thailand border. The ministry’s statement placed the bridge within the wider context of Cambodia-Thailand border management and Cambodia’s stated reliance on peaceful settlement, international law, relevant bilateral agreements, and the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee dated 27 December 2025.
Key Developments
On 28 April 2026 at 14:30, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence facilitated the Second Annual Tour of 2026 for the Military Attachés Corps in Phnom Penh to observe and verify the situation at Stung Meteuk Bridge in Pursat Province.
The ministry stated that Stung Meteuk Bridge had been attacked by Thai Air Force fighter jets on 13 December 2025, causing complete destruction and making the bridge unusable for traffic. The statement described the site as civilian infrastructure rather than a military facility.
Institutional Role
The Ministry of National Defence used an official press release by its spokesperson, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, to inform the public and national and international media. By facilitating a visit for foreign military attachés, the ministry created an official channel for defence representatives to observe the condition of the damaged bridge.
The statement also reaffirmed the Royal Government of Cambodia’s position that all border issues should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law and relevant bilateral agreements. The ministry specifically cited adherence to the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee dated 27 December 2025.
Operational Implications
The destruction of Stung Meteuk Bridge affected transport access because the ministry said the bridge was completely severed and could no longer be used for travel. The press release did not announce repair works, enforcement measures, or a new military action.
For long-term reference, the statement records Cambodia’s official position on the bridge incident, the role of foreign military attaché observation, and the continued use of bilateral and international legal frameworks in Cambodia-Thailand border security governance.
