Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has responded to comments made by his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who accused Cambodian leaders of lacking professionalism.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Cambodian National Congress on June 17, 2025, Hun Manet defended his government’s actions and criticized what he described as repeated provocations from Thailand.

He stated that while Thailand had remained silent when Cambodia refrained from responding to earlier provocations, it now accuses Cambodia of acting unprofessionally when Phnom Penh finally replies. He accused Thai officials of repeatedly pressuring Cambodia through threats and public criticism, while portraying themselves as faultless.

Hun Manet emphasized that Cambodia had exercised a high level of restraint in recent weeks, even in the face of actions he said included power cuts, internet disruptions, and other pressure tactics from the Thai side. He said Cambodia had chosen not to respond initially in order to avoid escalating tensions between neighboring countries.

The prime minister went on to allege that Thailand had engaged in daily military activity along the shared border, including troop movements, fortification upgrades and the deployment of heavy artillery. These actions, he said, continued even after the conclusion of a recent meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission.

Hun Manet questioned whether Thailand’s behavior could truly be considered “professional”, and defended Cambodia’s recent responses as lawful and limited to its own territory.

The exchange follows comments by Senate President Hun Sen, who stated on June 16 that he had planned to immediately close the border and suspend the import of Thai fruits and vegetables. However, following discussions with the Thai prime minister, both sides agreed to delay any such move for 24 hours, allowing time for Thailand to reopen its border crossings.

In the wake of these developments, Thai news outlet Khaosod released a video clip in which Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra criticized both Hun Sen and Hun Manet, describing their handling of the situation as “unprofessional” and “chaotic.”

Reacting to the Thai prime minister’s remarks, Cambodian opposition figure Meach Sovannara of the New Generation Party said the comments demonstrated a deep level of disrespect toward Cambodia and its leadership. He argued that Thailand itself had caused the current tensions and should not shift the blame to its neighbor.

In Phnom Penh this morning, June 17, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prak Sokhonn, met with foreign ambassadors stationed in the country to provide a detailed briefing on recent developments concerning the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute.

According to a statement posted on the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official Facebook page, Minister Prak Sokhonn addressed representatives from 27 diplomatic missions. He outlined Cambodia’s position regarding an incident that occurred on May 28, when Thai troops reportedly crossed into Cambodian territory in the Mom Bei area of Preah Vihear province, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

The Minister also confirmed that Cambodia has submitted a formal request to the International Court of Justice, seeking clarification and resolution over the status of four contested heritage sites along the border: Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabei temples and the Mom Bei area.

During the meeting, Minister Prak Sokhonn accused Thai forces of engaging in unilateral and aggressive actions, including repeated violations of Cambodian territory, border threats, the unilateral closure of border checkpoints, as well as disruptions to internet access and electricity supplies in affected areas.

He stated that, in response to what Cambodia views as serious violations of national sovereignty, the Cambodian government has enacted a series of diplomatic, legal and military measures aimed at defending justice, national interest and territorial integrity.

Tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border have been escalating since the May 28 incursion. Cambodian authorities strongly condemned the incident, citing not only the fatality but also what they describe as an ongoing pattern of provocation. Thai forces, according to the Cambodian side, continued to escalate the situation by reducing operating hours at border crossings and threatening further restrictions on utilities and communication services.

In a bid to seek a peaceful legal resolution, Cambodia submitted its case to the International Court of Justice on June 16, requesting adjudication on the long-standing territorial disputes involving ancient temple complexes and surrounding areas.

This case marks the latest chapter in a decades-long border disagreement between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. The outcome of the ICJ’s consideration may have lasting implications for the region’s stability and cultural heritage.

The European Union has reiterated its hope that Cambodia will strengthen human rights and civil liberties, including press freedom, during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The EU delegation in Cambodia wrote on its official Facebook page that the message was conveyed during talks between Prime Minister Hun Manet and European Council President Antonio Costa, held on June 10 on the sidelines of the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice.

The EU stated that it remains firmly committed to Cambodia’s development but underlined that this progress should go hand-in-hand with broader freedoms for civil society and the independent media.

In their meeting, President Costa reaffirmed the EU’s role as a strong partner for Cambodia and praised the country’s economic growth and ongoing reforms. At the same time, he expressed hopes for further improvements in human rights and democratic space.

Khun Tharo, Programme Manager at the Center for Alliance of Labour and Human Rights (CENTRAL), told The Cambodia Daily that while the United States remains Cambodia’s largest export market, currently engaged in trade negotiations that include tariff reviews, the European Union is Cambodia’s second-largest destination for exports.

He added that regaining full access to the EU market, including the reinstatement of the 20 percent of tariff preferences suspended under the “Everything But Arms” (EBA) scheme, will require improved diplomatic engagement. This includes tangible progress on human rights and democratic reforms, which the EU has repeatedly called for.

The European Union recently released its 2024 report on human rights and democracy in Cambodia. It found that during Prime Minister Hun Manet’s first year in office, there had been no notable improvement in fundamental freedoms or political rights, with the country continuing to impose restrictions similar to those seen in previous years.

The 20 percent suspension of EBA trade preferences in 2020 was similarly imposed after the EU found that Cambodia had failed to uphold its human rights commitments and democratic principles.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s garment exports to the United States have sharply increased in the first five months of 2025, reaching a value of 4.35 billion US dollars. Observers believe the rise may be driven by concerns over potential tariff hikes from Washington.

Exports to the European Union also rose by 23 percent in the first four months of this year. However, fuel imports into Cambodia dropped by nearly 13 percent during the same period, compared with the previous year.

In 2023, Cambodia imported refined fuel worth 1.7 billion dollars from Thailand, 672 million dollars from Vietnam, and 530 million dollars from Singapore.

At the same time, Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand have begun returning home, amid heightened tensions along the two countries’ border. Cambodia risks losing significant remittance income from these workers, who collectively send home nearly 3 billion dollars annually. These remittances are considered a critical part of the country’s gross national product.

The World Bank forecasts that Cambodia’s economic growth will slow to 4 percent this year, with only a modest rise to 4.5 percent expected in 2026.

Nearly ten civil society organizations in Cambodia have issued a joint appeal urging the government to immediately and unconditionally release human rights activist Seng Theary. The call comes after Theary completed a 14-day hunger strike in prison to protest what she described as an unjust three-year detention.

Six of the organizations, including the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), and the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), expressed deep concern for her deteriorating health. In a joint statement issued today, they confirmed that Theary had refused food from June 1 to June 14.

The hunger strike, they said, was a peaceful act of protest to draw attention to her ongoing imprisonment and to call for the release of all political activists and human rights defenders who remain in custody under what they describe as unjust conditions.

The civil society groups warned that the hunger strike could have serious and lasting impacts on Theary’s physical well-being. They added that the continued detention ordered by the court is further exacerbating her health situation.

These organizations expressed hope that Theary’s hunger strike would help bring about justice for all political prisoners and rights defenders who have been detained unfairly in recent years. They affirmed their continued support for Seng Theary and vowed to stand with her.

Seng Theary, a Cambodian-American human rights advocate and international lawyer, was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to six years in prison on June 14, 2022. She was convicted on charges of incitement and conspiracy to commit treason. Theary had been protesting peacefully outside the courthouse at the time of her arrest, rejecting the charges as politically motivated.

Since her conviction, Theary has carried out four hunger strikes between 2022 and 2025 while being held at a prison in Preah Vihear province.

In connection with her case, Freedom House has classified Cambodia as an authoritarian state, grouping it alongside countries such as Myanmar, China and Russia. The designation highlights what the organization describes as systematic suppression of civil liberties and political freedoms in the country.

The situation continues to raise concerns among international rights monitors and foreign governments, as calls grow louder for greater transparency and respect for human rights within Cambodia’s justice system.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has formally established a special commission to prepare documentation for a potential case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning a longstanding border dispute with Thailand. The contested areas include the ancient temples of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Krabei, situated near the Cambodian-Thai frontier.

These temples, referred to in Thai as “Ta Muen,” derive their names from ancient Pali or Sanskrit roots, according to epigraphic researchers. The term “Moan” or “Muen” is believed to stem from the word mantra, referring to religious incantations associated with Brahmanism. The temples were constructed during the reign of King Jayavarman VII and are thought to have served as royal rest stops, hospitals, and waystations for travelers during that era.

The government decree, signed on June 6 and made public on the evening of June 10, outlines the commission’s role. It is tasked with reviewing and selecting international legal counsel to represent Cambodia at the ICJ, based on recommendations from the Ministry of Legal Affairs. The body will also be responsible for examining case documentation and coordinating with diplomatic teams and the ICJ to initiate formal legal proceedings.

The commission is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and includes five vice chairs: Deputy Prime Ministers Hang Chuon Naron of the Education Ministry and Koeut Rith of the Justice Ministry; Culture Minister Phoeung Sackona; Lam Chea, the minister in charge of border affairs; and Sea Kosal, Secretary of State at the Foreign Ministry.

Nine additional members include secretaries of state from various ministries, senior military officials, and Cambodia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Keo Chhea.

Government spokesperson Pen Bona told reporters that the commission’s formation follows Prime Minister Hun Manet’s announcement on June 2 and enjoys full backing from Senate President Hun Sen. The legal initiative, he said, is widely supported by both houses of Parliament, as well as by Cambodians at home and abroad across political lines.

“This marks a unified national movement behind the government and the armed forces,” said Pen Bona, “reflecting the people’s strong trust and deep emotional support for the Kingdom’s leadership.”

However, the move has not gone unchallenged. Opposition figure Sam Rainsy, leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Movement, questioned the government’s resolve. In a Facebook post, he suggested that while Cambodia may have the legal upper hand, the Hun Manet administration appears hesitant to confront Thailand directly.

Rainsy further accused the government of ceding ground by withdrawing troops from territory he claims is rightfully Cambodian, describing the ICJ petition as ambiguous and lacking in clarity.

A senior opposition figure in Cambodia has claimed that Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand are facing growing discrimination following heightened tensions between the two countries over a border dispute.

Speaking during a broadcast of Idea Talk hosted by The Cambodia Daily on the evening of June 9, New Generation Party leader Meach Sovannara said that Cambodians working in Thailand have come under verbal abuse and bias from some Thai citizens. He stated that workers are being unfairly accused of being part of a so-called “land-stealing Khmer race.”

Mr. Meach Sovannara noted that while Cambodia has a population of approximately 17 million, only around 2 million Cambodians are currently employed in Thailand. He added that their wages are often no higher than those of factory workers back home, and many face a lack of security and full labor protections abroad.

He argued that if the Cambodian government could generate sufficient employment and guarantee comprehensive labor rights at home, most migrant workers would prefer to return. He emphasized that many leave the country only out of necessity and would choose to remain with their families if given the opportunity.

In a direct appeal to Cambodian migrants in Thailand, Mr. Meach Sovannara urged them to remain patient and avoid confrontation, stressing that any reaction to discrimination could lead to violence or job loss. He stated that resolving the border dispute is the responsibility of both governments, not individual citizens.

The warning comes as several videos have surfaced on social media, appearing to show instances of discrimination against Cambodian workers in Thailand. The footage emerged shortly after the latest surge in diplomatic friction between the two nations. Cambodian migrants lacking full legal documentation have expressed growing fear for their safety in the workplace.

However, a representative of the Bangkok-based labor rights CENTRAL, which monitors migrant working conditions in Thailand, told reporters that they have not yet received any formal complaints of discrimination from Cambodian workers. Still, the organization acknowledged that many Cambodian migrants are living in a state of constant fear, concerned that tensions may spill over into their daily lives.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour, there are currently around 1.2 million Cambodian nationals working in Thailand. The majority are employed in agriculture, construction, fisheries, and manufacturing.

The situation remains under close observation as authorities from both countries work to ease tensions and protect the rights of cross-border workers.

The Khmer Will Party has held a general assembly to amend sections of its party charter in a move aimed at facilitating alliances with other political parties in accordance with regulations set by the Ministry of Interior. The changes come as the party prepares to contest future elections.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Khmer Will Party Secretary-General Kong Monika said the assembly focused on two main objectives. First, to revise internal statutes to improve the party’s operational efficiency and enhance internal democratic practices.

The second aim, he added, was to include new provisions allowing the party to formally establish alliances with other political parties. The amendments were made in response to a recent directive from the Ministry of Interior that outlines legal procedures for party coalitions.

Kong Monika noted that this process mirrors a similar step taken by the Candlelight Party during its assembly on 25 May, where it discussed frameworks for forming bilateral or multilateral political alliances under Cambodia’s Law on Political Parties.

He confirmed that the Khmer Will Party plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Candlelight Party to formalise their alliance and will submit the agreement to the Ministry of Interior for official recognition.

On 24 March 2025, the Ministry of Interior issued a directive detailing the format and procedures for establishing political party alliances. Article 8 of that directive states that parties entering into an alliance may not use a joint logo or label bearing the names or symbols of the individual parties involved. Instead, each party must retain its own distinct name and symbol.

Previously, on 25 October 2023, the Cambodian People’s Party signed a coalition agreement with 27 other political parties. That alliance aimed to uphold the Constitution, preserve the monarchy, defend national sovereignty, maintain peace, and counter extremist movements.

Observers of Cambodian affairs have described Prime Minister Hun Manet’s recent visit to France as lacking tangible benefit, despite his participation in a United Nations conference on ocean conservation.

Mr. Man Nat, head of the Cambodian Watchdog Council, told The Cambodia Daily that Mr. Hun Manet’s claims of meeting foreign leaders, including the President of the European Commission, were largely aimed at impressing the Cambodian public, creating the appearance of international recognition. In reality, he said, the trip is unlikely to yield any concrete outcomes once the prime minister returns home.

According to Mr. Man Nat, the visit appears more focused on taking photographs with world leaders than on achieving policy goals.

He added that at a time when Cambodia faces steep trade tariffs from the United States, Mr. Hun Manet’s priority should have been to engage in serious talks with European officials to restore a 20 percent tariff exemption that was suspended at the end of 2020 under the EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) trade scheme.

The analyst went on to say that Prime Minister Hun Manet has failed to take action on matters of national interest, yet has actively engaged in actions that damage Cambodia’s international reputation. These include suppressing human rights, undermining democratic principles and conducting flawed elections. All of these actions, he said, are inconsistent with the core values of the European Union.

On June 08, 2025, Mr. Hun Manet and a delegation of government officials traveled to the French city of Nice to attend the third United Nations Ocean Conference, held from June 08 to June 11. This year’s theme is “Accelerating Action and Fostering Inclusive Partnerships to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.”

In the lead-up to the visit, the France-based Cambodia National Rescue Party sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron. Dated June 07, the letter urged the French government to press Prime Minister Hun Manet to uphold the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements, aimed at restoring democracy and protecting human rights in Cambodia.

The CNRP said the appeal also served to remind President Macron of France’s obligations under the agreements. It called on him to encourage Cambodia to resolve its border dispute with Thailand through the International Court of Justice. The party further urged the Cambodian government to commit to international maritime law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in order to secure international protection of Cambodia’s territorial integrity.