Message from Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, President of the Cambodian People’s Party On the Occasion of the 47th Anniversary of the 7 January Victory Day
Special Message from Samdech Techo Hun Sen on the 47th Anniversary of January, 7 Victory Day: ‘Thailand initiated wars of brutal aggression against Cambodia’s territorial integrity along the border under the pretext of protecting Thailand’s security and sovereignty’
Senate President Hun Sen has issued a special message on the 47th Anniversary of January 7, Victory Day.
In his message, Mr Hun states:
‘Venerable Monks, Beloved Compatriots!
Today marks the 47th anniversary of the historic 7 January Victory Day, which overthrew the Pol Pot genocidal regime, rescued the nation and the Cambodian people, and ushered in a new era for Cambodia: Independence, Freedom, Democracy, and Social Progress. We commemorate this historic day with a spirit of eternal remembrance for the crimes committed by the Pol Pot regime against our motherland and its people during the 3 years, 8 months, and 20 days of its brutal reign. Simultaneously, we all bow in solemn respect to the souls of millions of our innocent compatriots who perished most unjustly under the Pol Pot regime, and we pray that their souls may rest in eternal peace.
Beloved Compatriots! We can never forget the great tragedy inflicted upon our people by the Pol Pot genocidal clique, which seized power on April 17, 1975. Under that cruel regime, the Cambodian people were totally deprived of their rights and freedoms, forced to work like animals, and subjected to the most barbaric torture and executions. Furthermore, the nation’s social fabric was uprooted, pushing the entire nation to the brink of extinction. In these direst of circumstances, the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation was established on 2 December 1978 to lead the people in the struggle to liberate the nation from genocide, culminating in the glorious victory on 7 January 1979. Building upon this victory, the People’s Republic of Kampuchea was established as a true state of the people and for the people. Through these historic events, we remain eternally grateful for the noble sacrifices of the heroic men and women of the United Front and the immense assistance and support of the Vietnamese volunteer troops in toppling this brutal regime.
Following 7 January, the Cambodian people united to overcome countless obstacles to protect the nation’s revival and rebuild the motherland step-by-step from the ashes, having achieved many great, historic milestones of which we are proud, and we continue to move forward vigorously on the path of peace, democracy, and development. It is worth recalling that through our firm will, we ended the long-running war, bringing to the country full peace, democracy that has taken very deep roots in society, and rapid economic growth that has improved the living standards of our people. This is an enormous change of Cambodia thanks to the right leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party, the great solidarity of the people, and the assistance and support of friendly nations and the international community. In the year 2025, which has recently passed, Cambodia made numerous achievements across all sectors through the implementation of the Political Platform and the Pentagonal Strategy Phase I of the Royal Government, led by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, despite various challenges. We have now entered 2026, the third year of the Royal Government of the 7th Legislature of the National Assembly, to implement its political platform and achieve new milestones with a resolute commitment to protecting our people and territorial integrity.
Beloved Compatriots! While achieving these successes, our nation continues to face complex developments in the international situation, global economic uncertainty, and the weakening of the rules-based international order, which have been impacting on our nation’s development journey.
Especially, Thailand initiated wars of brutal aggression against Cambodia’s territorial integrity along the border under the pretext of protecting Thailand’s security and sovereignty. In these acts of aggression, the Thai military opened fire and launched relentless assaults on Cambodian troops positioned within Cambodian sovereign territory and on civilian targets indiscriminately using all sizes and all kinds of modern weaponry by land, sea, and air, causing catastrophic disaster for our citizens living peacefully in those areas. Such actions constitute grave violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter, and disrespect for the spirit of the ASEAN Community. Furthermore, such acts are also grave violations of international humanitarian law and international obligations to protect civilians, national cultural property, and World Heritage sites.
In response to this aggression, the Cambodian Armed Forces have firmly exercised their right to self-defense. In this very serious situation, the Royal Government of Cambodia has maintained a position of restraint, goodwill, and sincerity, striving to resolve the border issues with Thailand peacefully through all mechanisms and in accordance with international law, especially having strictly implemented the ceasefire agreed on 28 July 2025, and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration of 26 October 2025. However, the Thai side expanded its attacks, failing to implement the ceasefire and the Joint Declaration, which made the situation even more grave and destructive for the peoples of both nations.
In this situation, the international community-which highly values peace, humanity, the rule of law, and prosperity has actively encouraged efforts to resolve the dispute and border demarcation between the two countries through peaceful means in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the existing treaties and agreements between Cambodia and Thailand as well as encouraged the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.
Following patient negotiation efforts, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to implement an immediate on-site ceasefire (by freezing the front lines where they were now), effective from 12:00 PM (noon) on 27 December 2025. This agreement, reached during the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand, confirms a joint commitment to return to dialogue through and based on the past agreements and existing bilateral mechanisms, aiming to end all forms of hostilities and establish a true and sustainable peace together with a firm commitment to rebuilding trust and confidence and restoring normalcy and lasting peace along the border.
Cambodia reaffirms its steadfast commitment to its primary goals of ending the suffering of the people, preventing destruction, and continuing on the path toward a just and sustainable peace and solution. Meanwhile, Cambodia will not make any concession on its sovereignty or dignity. In this spirit, Cambodia will strictly and fully implement the ceasefire of 27 December 2025 and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration of 26 October 2025 to restore peace for both nations as well as peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Cambodia expresses its deepest gratitude to all friendly countries and the international community, particularly the United States, the People’s Republic of China, and ASEAN member states under the coordination of Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair, for their active assistance and participation in seeking this peaceful solution since the ceasefire of 28 July 2025.
Beloved Compatriots! On the path forward, I ask every compatriot to continue promoting the spirit of patriotism, self-reliance, and self-effort and strengthening ownership to ensure the protection and building of our nation. I firmly believe that based on the strength of our great solidarity and resolute patriotic spirit, we will continue to overcome any obstacle, no matter how great. We remember this history, remember the crimes against our cultural heritage the soul of our nation-and remember the insults leveled by the aggressors to our nation, motherland and people.
I appeal to all compatriots everywhere to remain firmly united under the motto: Nation, Religion, King, and to stand united with the Royal Government with firm faith in our just cause. United we stand; united we win. And no power can destroy our will. I am immensely moved to see the active participation of compatriots from all walks of life, both at home and abroad, providing full material and moral support to the heroic soldiers on the front lines and to the displaced citizens living in difficult conditions in safety shelters. This is the spirit of national solidarity and unity and the firm foundation of our people’s national defense.
Finally, I wish all compatriots everywhere the four Buddhist blessings and one wish: Longevity, Nobility, Health, Strength, and Wisdom.
Phnom Penh, 7 January 2026
(Signed)
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen’
