Phnom Penh:Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has reaffirmed the Cambodian government's position on the border dispute with Thailand, emphasizing efforts to normalize the situation for those living in conflict-affected areas along the border.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during the 80th founding anniversary celebration of the University of Health Sciences in Phnom Penh on October 6, Hun Manet stated that Cambodia did not initiate the armed conflict along the Cambodia-Thailand border. He claimed the confrontation began when Thai troops fired on Cambodian soldiers on Cambodian territory.
Hun Manet highlighted that Cambodia has never sought war but has acted to defend its rights, national dignity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He recalled the incident on May 28, 2025, when Thai troops allegedly entered Cambodian territory and opened fire, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. He insisted that the subsequent escalation was not initiated by Cambodia.
The Prime Minister noted that the armed clashes affected six of the seven Cambodian provinces along the border with Thailand, forcing more than 700,000 civilians to evacuate, while causing casualties, displacement, and infrastructure damage. The Royal Government has continued supporting affected communities and members of the armed forces.
Following the December 27, 2025, ceasefire, nearly US$2 million has been allocated to clear unexploded ordnance from conflict-affected areas. Financial assistance has been provided to over 1,600 families for home repairs, and 36 families have received newly built homes. For those unable to return, nearly 5,000 houses have been constructed, costing about US$59 million, along with infrastructure and social aid.
The government has also extended support to families of fallen soldiers through housing, financial assistance, and educational opportunities for their children. Financial institutions have offered debt repayment extensions for affected civilians and military personnel, with some loans of fallen soldiers' families being fully written off.
Hun Manet reiterated Cambodia's commitment to peace and resolving the conflict peacefully. He shared outcomes from a recent meeting with U.S. diplomatic representatives, discussing the Kuala Lumpur Accord and the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) mechanism, while emphasizing Cambodia's restraint in the conflict.
He urged the public to understand the legal and diplomatic processes involved in resolving the issue, including mechanisms under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Hun Manet assured that the Royal Government has never relinquished Cambodian territory to another nation and acknowledged that the resolution process might take additional time.