Cambodia has agreed to dismantle its controversial breakwater built into the Gulf of Thailand while the Royal Thai Navy has rejected media reports claiming it issued demands or threats to force Cambodia to dismantle the structure.
The dispute centres on Cambodia’s construction of a 300-metre breakwater in its coastal Koh Kong province, which borders Thailand’s Trat province. The structure extends outward into the Gulf of Thailand rather than running parallel to the coastline, making it ineffective as a wave barrier and raising concerns that it could cause Thailand to lose maritime territory.
The structure — located in Ban Hat Lek of Trat’s Khlong Yai district — expanded Cambodian land and maritime area while altering coastal currents, causing erosion on Thai shores.
During negotiations, the Thai side issued a clear ultimatum: failure to dismantle the barrier would leave Thailand no choice but to stop access to the Koh Kong bridge, a strategic resupply route for Cambodia.
Cambodia accepted the terms and began dismantling the barrier at around 4pm on Saturday.
