Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet claimed on Tuesday that Thai forces are occupying parts of Cambodian territory, calling on Thailand to begin demarcation efforts under a joint boundary commission.
The remarks come during his visit to Washington for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace meeting.
Hun Manet said that despite a December ceasefire, Thai troops remain in Cambodian territory, laying shipping containers and barbed wire that prevent residents from returning home.
“This is not an accusation but it’s a statement of the facts on the ground,” he told Reuters. “We cannot accept a violation of our sovereignty or territorial integrity.”
The Cambodian leader emphasized the need for technical verification through treaties and agreements, urging Thailand to allow the joint boundary commission (JBC) to start work promptly. Thailand has cited its February 8 election as a reason for delays.
Trump-brokered peace deal
The conflict, which escalated last July, displaced hundreds of thousands and disrupted trade along the 817-kilometer border. An October peace accord signed with Trump and Malaysia’s prime minister broke down within weeks before the December 27 ceasefire was established.
Hun Manet expressed hope that, with Thailand’s elections concluded, demarcation in the “hot zone” could resume, allowing local residents to return to normal life.
Washington visit and broader diplomatic ties
Hun Manet’s visit to Washington coincides with Trump’s Board of Peace, initially established to oversee a Gaza peace plan but now potentially playing a role in broader international conflicts.
A West Point graduate, Hun Manet has signaled warmer ties with the U.S., while asserting that Cambodia maintains balanced relationships with both China and the United States. “We are a sovereign country. We pursue the policy of friends with our countries,” he said.
In addition to border issues, Hun Manet said his government is actively cracking down on cyber scam centers and drafting legislation to curb online fraud. He stressed that online scams are a global problem and Cambodia is taking concrete steps, including deportations and closing scam compounds.
He also noted that Cambodia has faced scrutiny over human rights, democracy, and press freedom, but maintains strong security cooperation with the U.S.
