Cambodia’s Hun Manet Urges Thailand to Resolve Border Dispute Amid Fragile Ceasefire

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has accused Thai forces of occupying Cambodian territory months after renewed fighting along the disputed Cambodia-Thailand border, despite a ceasefire brokered in December. In an interview with Reuters, Hun Manet called on Thailand to activate the long-delayed Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to begin formal demarcation of the contested areas and prevent further escalation.

The border conflict, which intensified in July and marked the worst violence between the two Southeast Asian neighbors in more than a decade, displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and disrupted trade along the 817-kilometer (508-mile) frontier. Although a peace accord was signed in October with involvement from U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysia’s prime minister, it quickly unraveled before a new ceasefire was reached on December 27. Hun Manet described the current situation as “fragile,” warning that tensions could flare again without clear border verification.

According to the Cambodian leader, Thai troops remain positioned beyond Thailand’s previously recognized claims, allegedly placing shipping containers and barbed wire inside Cambodian territory. Thailand has denied occupying any land, stating its troop presence is part of de-escalation efforts. Hun Manet emphasized that Cambodia seeks a technical solution based on existing treaties and agreements, urging Thailand to allow the Joint Boundary Commission to resume its work following its February election.

Hun Manet, a West Point graduate who succeeded his father Hun Sen in 2023, also highlighted improving Cambodia-U.S. relations while maintaining close ties with China. He reiterated that Phnom Penh’s foreign policy is balanced and sovereign, rejecting the idea of choosing between Washington and Beijing. Addressing concerns over the China-upgraded Ream naval base, he said Cambodia has “nothing to hide.”

On cybersecurity, Hun Manet acknowledged the presence of cyber scam operations in Cambodia but said authorities are intensifying crackdowns, deporting offenders, and drafting new legislation to combat online fraud.