Selected Comments of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, at the closing of the 2025 Central Committee Meeting of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia [Unofficial Translations]
[1]
(1) National consensus at this time is Cambodia’s strength
I thank the leaders, members, brothers and sisters, citizens, especially the youth, who organized and participated in the “Solidarity March” on June 18, 2025, with more than 150,000 participants […] It has been viral on social media everywhere and even in foreign newspapers […] The spirit of national support, whether at home or abroad, regardless of trend or religion, shows the consensus that the army and the Royal Government have done the right thing to protect the national sovereignty. We have not violated anyone, but we are prepared and take all measures to protect national sovereignty and honor […] At this time, the country is facing with challenges and our citizens unanimously support national defense […] This spirit of unity makes us strong. We recognize that our country is smaller and our economy is not as strong, but our national consensus at this time is Cambodia’s strength […]
(2) Three factors that Thailand has created Cambodia’s nationalism
There has been an analyst who wants to break (the national solidarity) […] (according to) my observation, however, no matter how hard s/he tries, s/he can’t break the national spirit, the spirit of our national mindset, especially when we come out to defend our national honor […] The nationalist spirit has never been easily visibe as it is now. I’ve seen (the nationalist spirit like this) a couple of times. The first was when we had armed conflict in between 2008 to 2011 (on the border with Thailand, in the area of the Preah Vihear Temple). The second was when we agreed together to build the Funan (Techo) Canal. The third is what we are witnessing now. I see the consensus movement of the Cambodian people […] Some Thai political analysts say that the Cambodian government is instigating the nationalist movement to oppose Thailand […] Cambodia’s nationalism that has risen this high is not created by Cambodia. It is the other side that created (the Cambodian nationalist problem) for three reasons […] firstly, while instigating nationalism to exploit politics in Thailand, it has spread to Cambodia. Secondly, Thailand is trying to use the economy as a weapon to threat Cambodia. Thirdly, Thailand is using armed force to impose pressure on Cambodia […]
(3) Cambodia does play Thai internal political instigations
Since last year, the Thai nationalist movement has created the Koh Kut issue, created the Ta Moan Toch, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabei sagas, saying that this and that are theirs aimed at exploiting their internal political conflicts […] We do not play their games […] We do not want to escalate the situation. The spirit of their nationalist movement, however, has spilled over to Cambodia […] On February 13, they asked Cambodians to stop singing in the Ta Moan Thom area. Since 2008 and 2011, the fighting has stopped […] and we have maintained the condition of deploying unarmed troops (from each side). People on both sides went up there and sing […] That is a place where we have not yet agreed on. Thailand demands it and we also demand it because we use different maps […]
Cambodia has maintained stability and peace, and does not want to reach (the situation) as it is now. They keep on inflaming. Finally, the head of the Thai Military Region 2 made a statement – “those places belong to Thais. If you want them, let’s have a duel.” Now, how can we talk/negotiate bilaterally (when the other side has already held that position)? For one, the incitement of nationalist spirit in one country has spilled over to Cambodia. Secondly, they are using the economy as a weapon, by gradually threatening to cut off electricity and the internet […] Doesn’t all this incite anger and nationalism in our nation? Can a nation be looked down upon like this forever? […] The root of Cambodia’s nationalism is external factors where a country, their politicians, want to benefit themselves from internal political instigations, and use Cambodia as a scapegoat […]
(4) Whatever the measures taken, Cambodia is clear, considering all aspects, and every scenario
Returning from the visit to Japan, I went up to the border. Having assessed that bilateral negotiation was no longer possible on several points, I decided to issue an immediate declaration. The following day, the joint session of the Senate and the National Assembly has supported it […] Who has started the issue unilaterally? It was not us. Cambodia does not want to use (strict rules at the border crossings) because it causes difficulties for the people along the border. If Thais do, however, we will do it too. On 12th (June 2025), returning from France’s Nice, at 12 o’clock midnight, we decided to turn off the internet and the electricity so that the Thais do not have difficulty to make decision on that […] I asked them to disconnect it […]
They said that if they shut down oil export to Cambodia for just a month, the Cambodian economy will collapse. Well, we don’t need to tell you beforehand then. Last night, I announced that at by 12 o’clock at night, stop taking oil, stop taking gas from Thailand […] Cambodia is not acting rashly. Whatever the measures we are taking, we are clear about them. We are considering all aspects. We have considered each measure with every scenario. What happened before, and what had we done. There are more. We have prepared many, if they want to keep going […] If Cambodia closed the border crossings, mind you, let me affirm that there will be no reopening of that particular pass when you reopen it. It is until all the border crossings are open (by Thai side) that we reciprocate […] until you unilaterally open the entire border, as before June 7 (2025), Cambodia then considers reopening the said crossing and every other […]
(5) The organization of Cambodian army is for defending the nation
About the use of armed force (along with the incitement of nationalism internally that has spilled over to Cambodia and the use of the economy as a weapon), we have seen the display of military equipment, fighter jets, drones, drones with bombs, tanks, etc. Cambodia does not have those things like they do. We only have ATGMs […] The poor invests in to the poor way. Why does Cambodia have only anti-tank and anti-aircraft defenses? The organization of the Cambodian army is for defending the nation, and not for invading and seizing anyone’s territory […] Thais have threatened to shoot down all the Cambodian soldiers to make fertilizer. I will not respond to the (bragging) stories on Facebook, but please do not underestimate us. Cambodia does not want to go to war. However, if there is an abuse by armed force, the Cambodian armed forces have sufficient capabilities and absolute will to defend the territory. Although our equipment is not modern, the spirit and equipment we have are sufficient to destroy the plans and forces that invade our territory. There is no one with an iron head and a copper skin […]
(6) Whether it’s Thai government or military, whoever has real power to open the border crossings, Cambodia will follow and everything will be back to normal
It is also difficult for me to say about the reopening of the border. I do not know if it is the policy of the Royal Thai Government or what. The Royal Thai Government asked for the border crossings opening – (firstly,) by bilateral negotiations to open the border. Even on June 14, 2025, the Thai JBC asked to include it in the agenda. I issued a message on the night of June 13 that it is not within the jurisdiction of the JBC. The JBC only does border surveying work […] and secondly, Thais closed the border crossings unilaterally. If you want it open, Thailand is to open it unilaterally. We will proceed to open it within five hours later […] On June 15, the Thai Prime Minister called Samdech Techo […] and called me to ask for the same thing (opening the border) […]
I said that when Thailand closed it, it did not consult with Cambodia. So, to open it, there was no need to consult Cambodia too […] When the Thai Prime Minister asked to negotiate to open the border, the Thai military commanders continue to close it at will. One may ask, while one comes to negotiate with us and the other continues to attack us, closing the border crossing unilaterally, where is the real will to negotiate? […] (The Thai side should) have internal consensus. Cambodia wants to know (and see that) their real decision on the ground […] Whether it’s the government or the military, whoever has the real power, Cambodia will open the border. Then, everything will be back to normal […]
(7) No opening of border crossings, no official meeting of GBC and RBC
The army-to-army negotiations will happen after the border crossings are open. I have issued a clear policy to the Ministry of National Defense that as long as the border is not reopened, there will be no official meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) and Regional Border Committee (RBC). The RBC is led by the regional level committees of the two countries. GBC is led by the Minister of National Defense of Cambodia and of Thailand […] There have been pictures taken to create a movement inside (Thailand and possibly internationally) accusing the Khmer government of closing the border […]
They shot at us on May 28. On May 29, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and International Cooperation of Cambodia) submitted a protest letter […] They responded back saying, “the Cambodians went to shoot at them in their territory.” They launched drones in our land. We submitted a protest letter, they copied our letter back, saying that we were the violators […] On the 2nd and 3rd day (of drone invasion), I told Military Region 5 to “shoot out” […] Some Thais boasted that they do not need to negotiate with the Cambodians, just fight them all the way into Phnom Penh, and some said they would need only one hour to attack and get to Phnom Penh. well, they may want to try it to see. Don’t underestimate what they would meet […]
(8) Claiming those areas belong to Thailand is equivalent to not being able to proceed with bilateral negotiations
Initially, they made accusations about the Mom Bei issue, and then they said it is because “Cambodia took the four border points to the ICJ.” They said it was Cambodia stopped bilateral negotiations, so they had to use measures to impose sanctions.” I would like to clarify that for the border negotiations with Thailand, Cambodia still maintains its position of using the bilateral mechanism through the Joint Border Committee (JBC) to examine the more than 800-kilometers long border, except for these four points, which are stuck, and cannot move further […] There is no reason to take the 800 kilometers for the ICJ […] They don’t have time. They don’t accept it either […] It is in this regard that the matter occurred since February, but we still maintained our position until the June 1 to make decision.
After evaluating the entire situation, not only the Mom Bei area, but also the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, and Ta Krabei areas, we decided to send the issues to the ICJ […] (Thai) political leaders, military leaders, and some citizens have claimed that those areas belong to Thailand […] It is equivalent to not being able to proceed with bilateral (negotiations) […] They even called the Cambodian Military Attaché in Thailand to protest that “Cambodia violated its sovereignty by coming up and singing, and raising the victory flag.” For your record, no one sang and raised the victory flag at Mom Bei […] All in all, does the Thai border negotiation committee dare to retreat (from those positions mentioned above)? Even the government itself doesn’t dare to back down because it has told the Thai people that those points on the border belong to them […]
(9) Cambodia pursues three-pronged approach – legal, diplomatic, and if provoked, military battlefields
Cambodia is not the one who provoked the conflict. The measures that Cambodia has taken are to protect national interests and territorial integrity. Cambodia does not want a millimeter of anyone’s land, but will not allow anyone to encroach on it even a millimeter. Our response to protect our interests is on the legal battlefield at the ICJ […] the diplomatic battlefield, and if necessary, the military battlefield. We must do this three-pronged approach. We ask that the entire national force be behind our army and have confidence in the Royal Government […] gathering ideas, will, and emotions to prepare for national and territorial defense […] There are two or three countries that want to mediate in accordance with Thailand’s request that the two sides negotiate bilaterally. Cambodia has already said, “at this time, we are not going to rely on anyone. We are still working bilaterally on the border issue, except for these four border points.” On the economy and the military fronts, we are still open to bilateral negotiations, but with some conditions. If there is an outbreak of violence, we will go to the United Nations Security Council […]
(10) In tense situation between Iran and Israel, Cambodian citizens urged to contact Ambassadors in India for those in Iran and in Turkey for those in Israel
Speaking of Gaza […] while there is a lot of gunfire and missiles exchanges between Iran and Israel, even though it has not been announced online or anything, the Royal Government/Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and International Cooperation), our ambassador to Israel based in Turkey, and our ambassador to Iran based in India, have been working continuously. The Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and related institutions such as the General Intelligence Service are in contact with the Cambodian students and citizens, with whom we can contact, on a daily basis (and try to make more contacts) […] I assure our citizens who have children, nephews, and our students in Iran and Israel, that the Royal Government has not abandoned them/you. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided information. If any problems, please contact our ambassador in Turkey for those in Israel and our ambassador in India for those in Iran. Even though we do not have an ambassador there, we will try to communicate with the local authorities. Please listen to the local authorities for guidance […] This is the taste of war […]
(11) Supporting Cambodian products – “Cambodians help Cambodians in difficult times”
Our youth (members of the UYFC’s Central Committee) here, most of whom are leaders in institutions, the armed forces, as well as in various private sectors, may join in supporting the movement. I have lately noticed the movement to support Cambodian products […] The Ministry of Commerce will negotiate further. This is the spirit of Cambodians helping Cambodians in difficult times. The Royal Government and relevant ministries have studied and prepared, as I have given the principle even before this happened that we should strive to increase internal capacity, make some guarantees, connect to the domestic market, and do not rely too much on external sources.
Let us diversify […] I appeal to those who sell vegetables and fruits not to take the opportunity to raise prices […] The Ministry of Commerce will control both quality and price […] I believe that you will not do it. Fuel will not run out of stock. The Minister of Energy and Mines, His Excellency Keo Rattanak, met and worked with other companies. We are not asking for help. we have the ability (to buy). This is a short-term solution. Whatever it is, there must be a solution. I am asking our citizens not to expand this short-term problem beyond limit, especially leading to the creation of things that cause hatred among each other […]
(12) Cambodians trust, believe, and recognize that development has increased the capacity of Cambodia to own independence
Let us not create hostility with Thai people living in Cambodia […] and those of you working and staying in Thailand, should you have problems, please come back. Cambodia welcomes you […] I heard that the Buddhist monk Such is going to come to Cambodia […] He said he was worried about being arrested and sent to somewhere. No, there won’t be any arrest. You may go wherever you want to live, it’s up to you […] For the Cambodians currently are in Thailand, some have and some don’t have documents, you just go to the embassy or to the consulate, and please make arrangements for them to come. We let them in, don’t make it difficult, as long as they are Cambodians […]
Since 1980s, the Cambodians came out empty-handed, surrounded with blockades on all sides, and only a few gates left, but they survived and withstood the return of the Khmer Rouge regime up to the present. Some even said – “Cambodia and Cambodians are not like what it was and they were 20 years ago.” Our people have trust, belief, and recognize that development has increased the capacity of Cambodia, the owner of independence, and ensured the needs of the people in all sectors. This is what our youth must continue keep up. Up to now, we have done so much. The leaders have built the country for 40 years, a strong foundation that we must continue to maintain and expand this capacity even more for future generations […]
(13) Joining hands to walk the path of maintaining peace, stability, territorial integrity, and resolving problems peacefully to protect the spirit of national unity
At this time, the Royal Government, the Armed Forces, and the people across the country, whether Cambodians at home or abroad, are united, supporting each other, loving each other, creating a unified force. I ask you to maintain unity as a nation, which is an important shield […] We, the next generation, must know the situation of the country, understand the efforts, and join hands to walk the right path […] which is the path of maintaining peace, stability, territorial integrity, and national interests, resolving problems peacefully according to the ICJ legal mechanism, plus efforts to protect the spirit of national unity […]
I am not instigating nationalistic spirit. I only do what the people voted for me to do, which is to lead in difficulties, guide and solve problems […] I am doing my duty. Don’t blame me for playing the nationalist game for popularity. I only solve problems, lead my nation in protecting sovereignty and national interests, and it is a duty entrusted to me by more than 17 million people. It is the same for Samdech Techo as the head of the ruling party […] I protect the Cambodian national interests, whether they love me or not. My nation and my people gave their trust through the 2023 elections and need leaders to wave the flag leading the nation to do the job […]./.