Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia has cautioned ultra-nationalists in Thailand and Cambodia against escalating border disputes between the two countries.
The Khmer Times quoted the Cambodian leader as saying that Cambodia is committed to resolving border disputes through peaceful means.
“However, Cambodia also retains the right to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity by all means, including military force, if any country dares to use armed force to invade Cambodia,” he said.
His remarks came in response to a recent altercation between Cambodian and Thai soldiers near Ta Moan Thom Temple in Thailand’s northern province of Surin last week.
Hun Manet said overseas opposition politicians have been actively pushing nationalist rhetoric related to Cambodia’s border issues with neighboring countries.
He referred to the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) agreement, the dispute over Koh Kut, and Ta Moan Thom Temple at the Cambodia-Thailand border, which he said have been used as propaganda tools to incite the public for political gain.
He criticized overseas opposition groups for urging the Cambodian government to file an international lawsuit over Koh Kut, asserting that Cambodia has clear mechanisms to resolve such matters independently.
“Our approach is based on technical foundations—maps, expert committees, and legal documents. […] Borders between nations are not up for sale,” he said.
The Khmer Times said Hun Manet urged Thai and Cambodian politicians not to exploit border issues for political gain.
“I take this opportunity to call on all politicians, both Cambodian and Thai, not to interfere in technical matters. Politicians do not understand technical issues better than geographers. Let the experts handle this matter, as border issues involve technical and international legal considerations. Let’s not create unnecessary conflict,” he said.
