Cambodia Vows to Keep Raising Border Issues Internationally Amid Thai Violations

Cambodia's Minister of Information has declared that Cambodia will not remain silent as long as Thai violations of Cambodian territory continue. Responding to Thai requests for Cambodia to refrain from raising border disputes on international platforms, the minister stated, "Cambodia cannot be asked to remain silent while the problems on the ground remain unresolved." He emphasized that Cambodia has full reason to continue raising these issues with the international community as long as Thai forces remain present on Cambodian territory, and unilateral and illegal structures such as barbed wire, containers, trenches, and other infrastructure are present. He stressed that this is not about seeking conflict but about defending national interests and employing peaceful diplomatic means. The minister asserted that Cambodia is a sovereign state with the right to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, people, and legal standing. Cambodian diplomats have a duty to explain their country's position and present facts in all relevant forums. He stated that issues do not disappear by being unmentioned; they end when the root causes are resolved. For Thailand to truly reduce tensions, he suggested, the approach should not be to persuade third countries to ask Cambodia to refrain from speaking. Instead, Thailand should cease unilateral actions that alter the border situation, respect ceasefires, adhere to existing agreements, and utilize peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms in accordance with international law. Cambodia does not demand what belongs to others, but it cannot accept the use of force or any unilateral action to create new facts on the ground and then demand Cambodia's silence. The minister highlighted that the silence of the affected party cannot be a condition for peace. Sustainable peace must be based on respect for the law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and on the peaceful resolution of disputes, not on forcing one party to stop speaking about what it considers an infringement of its rights. Cambodia desires peace, supports negotiations, and backs bilateral and other peaceful mechanisms in line with international law. However, negotiations do not mean Cambodia must abandon its right to speak the truth or defend its position. International forums, including the Francophonie Summit, are platforms for member states to express concerns, explain their positions, and seek understanding through diplomacy. The peaceful use of these forums contrasts sharply with the use of force; diplomacy is the alternative to weapons, and speaking is better than shooting. The minister vowed that as long as violations of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity continue, Cambodia will keep speaking. As long as Cambodian citizens cannot return safely to their homes, Cambodia will keep speaking. As long as there are attempts to create new facts on the ground unilaterally, Cambodia will keep speaking. And as long as facts are distorted, Cambodia will continue to present them. He declared Cambodia will speak in Phnom Penh, at ASEAN, at the Francophonie, at the United Nations, and at all relevant international forums, not to create conflict but to defend peace based on law, not to create enemies but to defend sovereignty, and not to oppose the Thai people but to oppose any actions that violate Cambodia's rights and territorial integrity. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local