PM Hun Manet: Temporary shelters do not mean Cambodia will give up its sovereignty

Prime Minister Hun Manet visited displaced families at Wat Bak Kam, in Tbaeng Meanchey district, Preah Vihear province, on January 31. STPM

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Prime Minister Hun Manet has reiterated that Cambodia’s decision to provide temporary shelters for civilians displaced from border areas does not constitute any concession of territorial integrity. He stressed that the Kingdom would continue to assert its sovereignty through diplomatic, legal and technical mechanisms in line with international law.

Speaking during a January 31 visit to a sanctuary for displaced families at Wat Bak Kam in Preah Vihear province’s Tbaeng Meanchey district, the prime minister said the evacuation and sheltering of civilians from so-called red zones or areas encircled by Thai military forces was a humanitarian necessity, not a political or territorial compromise.

“Our claim to territorial integrity continues. We have not abandoned, and will not abandon, our right to defend Cambodia’s sovereignty in any place,” Manet said.

He firmly rejected any suggestion of trading land for a ceasefire, underlining that Cambodia would not accept a halt in fighting in exchange for territory. Border demarcation, management and dispute resolution, he said, must strictly adhere to international law.

“There is no ceasefire in exchange for land. That does not exist. All work related to measurement, management and the settlement of border issues must be conducted in accordance with international law,” he said.

The prime minister acknowledged that diplomatic and legal approaches to resolving border disputes are slower than the use of force, but argued they provide lasting stability and shared peace while avoiding violent confrontation.

Manet said the temporary shelters were established to ensure the safety, dignity and basic living conditions of displaced civilians while they await a safe return to their homes.

“With one hand, we continue to defend our legitimate sovereignty and territory through technical, diplomatic and legal mechanisms to avoid fighting. With the other hand, we must take care of the livelihoods of our people,” he said. “This is about responsibility and ensuring that our citizens are not abandoned.”

He called on Cambodians to maintain national unity during what he described as a painful and difficult period for the entire nation, as many citizens share a deep sense of concern for the country.

The prime minister expressed gratitude to Cambodians at home and abroad for their solidarity over the past six months of tensions, noting that public support has strengthened the morale of the armed forces, national police and the families of soldiers deployed on the front lines.

Hun Manet said the current situation represents one of the most serious challenges Cambodia has faced in nearly a century in terms of foreign aggression.

However, he stressed that the resilience of more than 17 million Cambodians, united by national solidarity, remains the country’s greatest strength.

-Phnom Penh Post-
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