BANGKOK, Thailand – Cambodian media has reported that Prime Minister Hun Manet, currently on an official visit to Japan, addressed the nation following a recent armed clash between Cambodian and Thai troops at the Chong Bok border area—also known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of three countries converge.
In a social media post, Hun Manet emphasized that despite being overseas, he remains fully in command of the nation’s military operations and responsible for all major security decisions. He stated:
“The news of the armed confrontation between Cambodian and Thai troops at the Emerald Triangle, as well as the deployment of military forces and heavy weapons to the border during my absence, has caused concern and uncertainty among the public. People are wondering whether war will break out, and who is actually in control while the Prime Minister is abroad.
I assure the Cambodian people that even while I am in Japan with a packed schedule of meetings, the command structure and hierarchy for key military operations—including troop deployments—remain entirely under my authority as Prime Minister.
I receive continuous updates from the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Army Commander. These reports include the outcomes of communication between the Cambodian and Thai military units, which aim to prevent further escalation and restore peace and constructive engagement between our frontline forces.
Furthermore, no major decisions—such as deploying troops or military hardware to the border—can be made without my direct approval or orders.”
Hun Manet added that he does not want to see an armed conflict between Cambodian and Thai forces, as such a confrontation would benefit neither country nor their people, especially those stationed on the front lines.
“Therefore, I hope the upcoming meeting between the military commanders of Cambodia and Thailand will yield positive outcomes for maintaining stability and open communication, just as it has in the past.
As I’ve said before, Cambodia has no intention of invading any country. We seek to resolve border disputes based on technical and legal principles under international law.
That said, Cambodia reserves the right to use all necessary means to protect its territorial integrity, including military force, in the event of any invasion or incursion.”
He concluded by calling on all Cambodian citizens to remain calm and avoid spreading or reacting to unverified information.
“I urge everyone to help prevent this issue from escalating into a national-level conflict. Please have full confidence in the government and our armed forces to manage the situation responsibly.”
To reinforce his message, Hun Manet also shared two photographs: one showing him near a frontline command post in Samraong, Oddar Meanchey Province, during a past confrontation, and another of a military negotiation between Cambodian and Thai commanders at the Chong Sangam border checkpoint, intended to de-escalate tensions.
