PM Hun Manet Assures Public on Territory: "Never Signed Away Land"

Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia has stated that the government has never forgotten about territorial issues and has never signed away land to any party. Speaking at the official inauguration of the "Angkor Hospital for Cancer" on September 16, 2026, he clarified that the ceasefire agreement of December 27, 2025, was not an agreement to cede land but to stop fighting and allow citizens to breathe. Prime Minister Hun Manet also recalled the historical legal confrontation with Thailand, emphasizing the use of international law and international mechanisms, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He appealed to the public to continue trusting the government in resolving territorial issues peacefully and based on international law. "We have never forgotten about our territory. All methods of resolution have been pursued without forgetting even for a second. Every day, our soldiers are at the front lines to prevent, strengthen, and defend the nation. Our generals stationed and ready for combat have not abandoned any territory to anyone. If territory is lost, it would be only if the government signed an agreement, and we have no such agreement. The only agreements with Thailand are the treaties signed during the French colonial administration in 1904 and 1907," the Prime Minister stated. He further explained that there has been no agreement signed on land or maritime borders. The Joint Border Committee (JBC) has worked for 20 years and reached partial agreement, but the re-verification of the border lines measured in 1907 has not yet been completed. He added that there are no new borderlines to be established. It is reported that the mechanism for resolving border issues between Cambodia and Thailand, both land and maritime, is implemented through different legal frameworks and resolution mechanisms. For land borders, the Joint Border Committee (JBC), established under the Memorandum of Understanding in 2000 and reaffirmed in the December 27, 2025 ceasefire agreement, leads the process. This mechanism is co-chaired by the border ministers of both countries and meets annually. In addition to the JBC, there is also the General Border Committee (GBC) at the regional level, which meets annually. These mechanisms include the proposal for Joint Survey Teams (JSTs) to survey and temporarily mark actual border sections, such as in the areas of Boeung Trakuon, O'Smach, An Ses, and Thma Da. Operations Group (OG) meetings and the Joint Technical Subcommittee for Borders (JTSC) are also organized to push this work forward. For maritime borders, Cambodia has initiated procedures under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve maritime disputes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has clarified that the use of UNCLOS does not mean abandoning bilateral negotiations on land borders, as both mechanisms can proceed in parallel. Cambodia continues to adhere to its stance of using non-violent means, diplomacy, and legal channels to find solutions in accordance with international law and to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.