Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has warned Thailand not to violate what he referred to as Cambodia’s “red line” amid growing tensions along the border. His remarks come as observers urge the government to clearly define the boundaries of that red line following recent military incidents in disputed areas.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on July 22, Hun Manet stressed that in areas of unresolved sovereignty, no party has the right to take unilateral action. He said that any measures must be agreed upon by both countries in advance, adding that disputed zones must be treated with mutual respect until a final resolution is reached.
Hun Manet criticised what he described as coercive tactics aimed at pressuring Cambodia, calling them neither ethical nor constructive. He stated that if Thailand is genuinely committed to building trust and cooperation, it should avoid aggressive approaches. Cambodia, he added, remains committed to a peaceful, prompt, and transparent resolution to the dispute.
The Cambodian Prime Minister also rejected what he called baseless allegations by Thailand, including accusations of Cambodian interference in Thai internal affairs and responsibility for a recent landmine explosion in the Mom Bei area.
On July 21, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement claiming that Thai soldiers injured by a landmine had entered Cambodian territory illegally. The ministry stated this was a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and breached the terms of a bilateral understanding signed in 2000.
According to the statement, the explosion occurred inside internationally recognised Cambodian territory. The ministry cited maps at a 1:200,000 scale created by the French-Siamese Joint Commission in line with the 1904 Convention and the 1907 Treaty, maps which have long been acknowledged by both the Cambodian and Thai governments.
Commenting on the situation, Cambodian political observer Sok Sokunth called on Hun Manet to clarify the exact location of the so-called red line. In a Facebook post on Monday, he pointed to incidents where Thai forces allegedly entered Cambodian territory, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier and injuries from landmine explosions.
Sok Sokunth also raised concerns about Thailand’s use of tractors and armored vehicles to enter the disputed zone, as well as the construction of a concrete road in the area. He questioned whether these activities had already crossed the red line outlined by Hun Manet and what further actions Cambodia intends to take in response.
The latest developments have reignited long-standing tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, particularly in regions where both sides have competing historical claims. Cambodia continues to assert that its position is grounded in internationally accepted maps and legal agreements.
