Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has warned that efforts to rebuild trust and relations between Thailand and Cambodia could face difficulties if Cambodia continues to raise border disputes and accusations against Thailand on international platforms.
The remarks came after Keo Chhea, Cambodia’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, spoke at a meeting of the UN Security Council, referring to what Cambodia says were humanitarian consequences from past border clashes with Thailand.
Sihasak said continuing to bring these issues onto the international stage could damage the atmosphere of confidence-building between the two neighbouring countries. He also expressed concern that Cambodia’s current position could hurt bilateral relations.
In his intervention at the United Nations on May 22, Keo Chhea raised what Cambodia says were the humanitarian consequences caused by border clashes. He said hundreds of thousands of civilians had been displaced, civilian infrastructure had been damaged, and Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had also suffered damage during the conflict.
Thailand described the remarks as one-sided accusations and said they were not in line with the spirit of a joint statement signed by the two countries in late 2025 to promote reconciliation and rebuild trust.
On the Cambodian side, government spokesperson Pen Bona has repeatedly said Cambodia continues to respect international law, the ceasefire, and all agreements reached by the two countries to resolve border issues peacefully.
Cambodia says past Thai military actions against Cambodia caused severe humanitarian consequences, including the displacement of more than 649,000 civilians. It says about 32,160 people remain without proper shelter because many homes and properties belonging to Cambodian citizens were destroyed. Cambodia also says Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was seriously damaged during the attacks.
