(Preah Vihear): Cambodian Senate President, Samdech Techo Hun Sen warned Thailand not to vandalise, forget, lose its way in, or distort history, emphasising that Thailand had already signed a treaty with France in 1907, accompanied by a map. Violating it, he said, amounts to theft.

Samdech Techo spoke on Thursday (Jun. 26) during his meeting with citizens who had fled from the tense Cambodia–Thailand border areas in Preah Vihear province.

“I want to send a clear message: do not vandalize, forget, or distort history,” Samdech Techo warned. “The 1907 Franco–Siamese Treaty, which includes an official map, must be respected. Ignoring it is tantamount to theft. We are using the correct map under international law. Thailand signed that treaty with France, and must acknowledge it,” Samdech Techo stated.

He went on to say that Thailand’s refusal to recognise the map from the 1907 Franco–Siamese Treaty and its unilateral redrawing of the border has led to the current conflict. This, he said, has brought suffering to Cambodians—forcing pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to flee from the conflict zone.

On the occasion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen further stated that the displacement of citizens is not something Cambodia desires, and he believes the Thai people do not want this either. However, he blamed a small group of warmongers who are pushing for war.

He concluded by stating that the individuals inciting this conflict stem from political tensions in Bangkok and have shifted the issue to the Cambodian–Thai border.
=FRESH NEWS