Cambodia has accused Thailand of maintaining forces inside Cambodian territory following last year’s fighting, despite a peace accord brokered with the involvement of Donald Trump, Reuters reports. In his first interview with international media, Prime Minister Hun Manet said Thai troops had deployed shipping containers and barbed wire within areas recognized as Cambodian land, preventing residents from returning home.
Hun Manet, who succeeded his father Hun Sen in 2023, called for the resumption of technical demarcation work by a joint boundary commission (JBC) to verify the situation on the ground. He said the Thai government had previously delayed these efforts, citing its February election, but emphasized that the border dispute must be resolved based on treaties and agreements. “This is not an accusation but it’s a statement of the facts on the ground,” he told Reuters, adding that Cambodia could not accept any violation of its sovereignty or territorial integrity.
The remarks highlight lingering instability along the 508-mile (817-km) border, where the worst fighting in over a decade broke out in July, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and disrupting trade. An October peace accord involving Trump and Malaysia’s prime minister collapsed within weeks, though a new ceasefire was established on December 27. Hun Manet attended a meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington this week and expressed hope that the body could help de-escalate tensions further.
Beyond the border issue, Hun Manet discussed strengthening ties with the United States, contrasting with Cambodia’s previous pivot toward China. The prime minister emphasized that Cambodia’s foreign relations are “not mutually exclusive” and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transparency regarding Chinese upgrades at the Ream naval base. He also highlighted efforts to combat cybercrime, including online romance scams, and noted that legislation is being drafted to address these issues, with authorities actively shutting down fraudulent compounds and deporting operators.
Hun Manet’s comments, as reported by Reuters, reflect a dual approach: managing a sensitive border dispute with Thailand while cultivating closer security and diplomatic relations with Washington, even as his government faces international scrutiny over human rights and press freedom. The prime minister framed Cambodia’s stance as one of sovereignty and pragmatism, aiming to balance geopolitical partnerships while asserting control over its territory and domestic challenges.
