Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen has reiterated the country’s firm stance on territorial sovereignty, stating that while Cambodia does not seek to claim land from any other nation, it will also not tolerate the loss of even a single millimetre of its own territory.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on June 18, the former prime minister and current ruling party leader called on Cambodian youth to stand united in the defense of the nation. He urged a deep and unwavering commitment to protecting Cambodia’s territorial integrity and the safety of its people at all times.
Hun Sen said that support from citizens across the country for the government’s approach to border issues and for soldiers stationed along the frontier represents a powerful national spirit of defending sovereignty and unity.
His remarks came as approximately 150,000 people took part in a “Solidarity March” organized by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia in the capital, Phnom Penh. The demonstration was held to express support for the government and the country’s armed forces amid heightened attention to border matters.
During the event, Prime Minister Hun Manet delivered a special message, saying the nationwide march reflected the strong will of the Cambodian people to support national defense and stand behind the government and front-line forces in protecting the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial unity.
Speaking on a separate occasion the night before the march, former student democracy leader Sarou Sovicheay told The Cambodia Daily’s “Idea Talk” program that the government should pay close attention to the well-being of Cambodian migrant workers currently residing in Thailand, especially given recent tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Sovicheay also urged the government to take this moment as an opportunity to promote national reconciliation. He called for the release of political prisoners who he said have been unjustly detained, including those jailed for their involvement in earlier protests over border issues.
The developments come amid increased attention to Cambodia’s border security and national unity, with both government figures and civic voices emphasizing the need for peace, sovereignty, and inclusive political dialogue.
