Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 19 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed that Cambodia seeks to resolve conflicts peacefully but reserves the right to defend itself by all means, including the use of armed force, if any country dares to invade Cambodia.
The premier spoke on Wednesday (Feb. 19) at the graduation for students of the Asia Europe University, held at Diamond Island Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Samdech Thipadei’s statement followed recent attempts by opposition groups in both Thailand and Cambodia to exploit the Koh Kood and Ta Muen temple issues for political gain.
“I would like to take this opportunity to send a message to all politicians, both Cambodian and Thai: do not interfere in technical matters. Politicians are not better equipped than geographers to handle these issues. Let the experts resolve them based on technical principles and international law. The border issue should be addressed through legal and technical frameworks, not political rhetoric. Thai politicians should also take note—do not escalate this issue for political gain or claim ownership without mutual agreement. We do not accept any unverified claims as facts,” the premier underscored.
Samdech Thipadei continued, “Cambodia is committed to protecting its sovereignty and seeks to resolve outstanding border issues through officially agreed mechanisms, particularly the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Committee. This process is guided by international law, the map deposited by France, and various agreed-upon documents. Cambodia desires a peaceful resolution but will not hesitate to defend itself, including through military means, if necessary.”
The premier also addressed claims within Cambodia that failing to pursue legal action over the Koh Kood issue would be an act of treason, arguing that patriotism is not determined by political narratives. He noted that similar rhetoric is being pushed by opposition politicians in Thailand, who are urging their government to take legal action. However, Samdech Thipadei stressed that Cambodia follows a clear and systematic approach to resolving border disputes, rather than resorting to political manoeuvring. =FRESH NEWS
