Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand of occupying Cambodian territory despite a US-brokered ceasefire last year. He called on Thailand to allow a joint boundary commission (JBC) to start demarcation work on their disputed border. The announcement comes as Hun Manet attends the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington this week.
Speaking to Reuters, Hun Manet said Thai forces remain deep inside Cambodian territory, placing shipping containers and barbed wire on land recognized as Cambodian. He described the occupation as a “violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity” and stressed that technical mechanisms and treaties must be used to verify boundaries. Hun Manet urged Thailand to start JBC work promptly, noting delays caused by its February 8 election.
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Thailand has denied occupying territory, saying its troops are maintaining positions as part of de-escalation measures. Hun Manet described the border as “fragile” despite a December ceasefire following a July conflict that displaced hundreds of thousands. He emphasized the need for technical demarcation in hot zones to restore normal life and reduce the risk of renewed clashes.
Hun Manet, a West Point graduate who took office in 2023 after his father Hun Sen stepped down, highlighted warmer Cambodia-US relations under his leadership. He stressed Cambodia’s ties with both the US and China are “not mutually exclusive” and defended the Ream naval base upgrades by China. He also highlighted domestic reforms, including cracking down on cyber scam centers and drafting new laws to tackle online fraud.
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The Cambodian leader emphasized that democracy includes education, healthcare, and press freedom, alongside political expression. He acknowledged past criticisms of human rights and press restrictions, citing the country’s low ranking in the World Press Freedom Index. Hun Manet framed his government’s actions against online scams as part of global cooperation, stressing that Cambodia neither allows nor endorses such activities.