Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, informed Reuters on Tuesday that Thai forces remain stationed in Cambodian territory following clashes last year, despite a peace agreement facilitated by US President Donald Trump. Hun Manet urged Thailand to permit a joint boundary commission to initiate work on resolving their border disputes.
During his inaugural interview with international media, Hun Manet, who assumed leadership from his father in 2023, praised the improved relations with Washington and highlighted his government’s efforts to combat cyber scam operations.
Hun Manet recently visited Washington to participate in a meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace, expressing hope that the new entity could contribute to easing tensions along the border. He characterized the situation as “fragile” despite a ceasefire in December that halted the renewed hostilities.
Although the board was initially established to oversee a peace plan in Gaza, Trump hinted at its potential expansion to address broader issues.
Thailand has maintained that its troop positions are part of de-escalation measures and denied allegations of territorial occupation. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for Thailand’s Defense Ministry, stated, “We are abiding by the joint statement, which mandates the preservation of current troop deployments. There has been no reinforcement.”
The statements made by Cambodia’s leader regarding the border conflict highlight the ongoing risk of renewed hostilities, despite Trump’s assertions about the success of the peace agreement.
Last year’s intense clashes, the most severe in over a decade, led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of individuals and disrupted trade along the 508-mile (817-km) border.
