A senior official at the Royal Academy of Cambodia has condemned Thailand’s defense minister, Nattaphon Narkphanit, calling him a “thief invading Khmer territory” after the Thai minister demanded that Cambodia hand over Ta Krabey Temple in exchange for the release of 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.

Kin Phea, president of the Institute of International Relations at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, wrote on his Facebook page that “the thief has shamelessly come forward, seeking to use military force to seize Cambodia’s Ta Krabey Temple.”

He said the Thai minister’s demand was an extension of long-standing attempts to pressure Cambodia to clear more landmines along the border, making it easier for Thai troops to advance and capture Khmer temples and land as part of their territorial ambitions.

Kin Phea added that under such brazen aggression, any Cambodian who continues to buy Thai products is effectively supporting an invading thief. He stressed that Cambodia does not need to negotiate with anyone over its own heritage sites, noting that Ta Moan Toch, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Krabey, and the Three Angles area all lie within Cambodian territory. He said these areas were officially submitted to the International Court of Justice on June 15, 2025.

On November 4, Thailand’s The Nation newspaper quoted Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit as saying that there would be no border talks with Cambodia until Ta Krabey Temple was handed over to Thailand. He said the Thai cabinet had yet to discuss the matter but remained determined to reclaim the temple, which he claimed is still part of Thai territory.

Nattaphon added that Thailand would not continue discussions about releasing the 18 Cambodian soldiers unless Cambodia first agreed to transfer control of Ta Krabey Temple. He said other issues, including the reopening of border checkpoints, would also not be discussed until that condition was met.

In response, Cambodian political geographer Yang Pov wrote on Facebook that if Cambodia compromises by giving away temples or land to satisfy Thailand’s demands, it would only encourage further unilateral border redrawing and future territorial claims. “How much land and how many temples will Cambodia have left to give away?” he wrote.

On June 16, 2025, Senate President Hun Sen said the Cambodian-Thai border stretches more than 800 kilometers, but only four areas remain in dispute: the Three Angles area, Ta Moan Toch Temple, Ta Moan Thom Temple, and Ta Krabey Temple. He said these cases should be settled by the International Court of Justice, while other sections of the border would be resolved through bilateral negotiations.

Hun Sen described Thailand’s actions as cowardly and unlawful, saying Thai leaders dare not face Cambodia in the international court.

The Cambodia Daily has not yet reached government spokesperson Pen Bona for comment on Thailand’s claims regarding the four disputed areas as of broadcast time.

Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen has reaffirmed that Cambodia never asked Thailand to reopen border crossings that were closed earlier this year. He said some Thai politicians are using the issue to gain support ahead of future elections.

In a Facebook post late on November 4, Hun Sen wrote that certain Thai leaders have recently been talking extensively about reopening the border, which he believes could become a campaign topic in Thailand’s upcoming elections.

Hun Sen said the comments from Thai officials, including the prime minister, have created confusion among people in both countries, making some believe that Cambodia requested Thailand to reopen the crossings. He clarified that the decision to close or reopen the border rests entirely with Thailand.

“Thailand can keep the border closed for 100 years or even 500 years if it chooses. The key is in Thailand’s hands,” he said. Hun Sen added that the closures have not harmed Cambodia’s economy, but instead encouraged the use of locally made goods to replace Thai imports. He described it as an opportunity to boost domestic production.

The Senate President expressed support for ongoing efforts to improve relations between the two neighboring countries. He pointed to the recent joint declaration signed on October 26 by the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, which focused on maintaining peace and cooperation. The agreement was witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs ASEAN, and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Soeng Senkaruna, president of the Khmer Democracy Organization based in Australia, said Cambodia has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to respecting ceasefire mechanisms, but claimed that Thailand has continued to violate them and encroach on Cambodian territory in several areas.

He said Cambodia should continue to seek international assistance to help resolve border disputes and accelerate the process of bringing these issues before the International Court of Justice.

Thailand closed all seven of its land border checkpoints with Cambodia on June 24, 2025, citing unilateral security measures.

Cambodia has begun withdrawing heavy weapons from border areas shared with Thailand, in what officials describe as a significant step toward implementing the Kuala Lumpur Joint Peace Declaration signed by both nations last month.

Defense Minister Tea Seiha said the removal of heavy artillery and military equipment marks a clear demonstration of Cambodia’s goodwill and firm commitment to peace and stability along the border. Writing on his official Facebook page, he expressed strong hope that both sides will fully honor the Kuala Lumpur declaration with honesty, transparency, and sincerity.

The first phase of the withdrawal began on November 1 in the Choam Ksant and Rovieng districts of Preah Vihear province. The weapons were transported back to their original locations near Phnom Penh and inspected on Tuesday by a delegation from the ASEAN Observer Team. The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense said the move reflects the country’s dedication to strengthening peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

A ministry statement released on November 4 confirmed that Cambodian coordination teams had facilitated the ASEAN observers’ visit to verify the disarmament process. The heavy weapons and military hardware were transferred to Kampong Speu and Kandal provinces, consistent with the agreed schedule between Cambodia and Thailand.

According to The Nation, a Thai newspaper, the Regional Border Committee (RBC) recently approved a three-phase withdrawal plan, set to begin in early November. The first phase started on November 1, the second is scheduled for November 22 and will last three weeks, and the third phase will commence on December 13 and continue for six weeks.

Malaysia’s national news agency, Bernama, quoted U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan on November 3 as saying that the United States is committed to supporting the full implementation of the Kuala Lumpur peace accord. Kagan said Washington is strengthening its engagement in efforts to ensure that future border conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand are permanently prevented.

The Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, signed on October 26 by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, outlines a roadmap for peace along the border. The agreement calls for the withdrawal of heavy weapons, demining operations, the dismantling of scam networks, and joint efforts to improve living conditions for communities along both sides of the frontier, with U.S. President Donald Trump serving as a witness to the signing.

Observers say the ongoing boycott of trade between Cambodia and Thailand could be a lose-lose policy that harms both economies in the long run.

Social development researcher Meas Nee wrote on his Facebook page today that the public campaign by Cambodian citizens to boycott Thai goods reflects frustration, but also poses risks at a time when Cambodia’s economy remains fragile and dependent on imports.

Following the announcement of the boycott, Cambodian consumers have largely stopped buying products from Thailand. Yet, many have simply shifted to imports from Vietnam instead. Meas Nee warned that emotionally driven or overly proud decisions, made before a country is economically prepared, could end up being self-destructive.

He said Cambodia’s strength will not come from boycotts, but from building real economic capacity. “The country must not only produce enough for its own consumption,” he said, “but also create goods for export. That’s the only way to sustain both the micro and macro levels of the economy.”

He added that if Cambodia wants to be treated as a strategic partner by other nations, it must first stand strong on its own. The best solution, he suggested, is to promote consumer awareness and let individuals choose which products to support, rather than imposing state-driven boycotts.

The trade tensions began after a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand erupted on May 28 and escalated until June 24, leading to a five-day armed conflict starting on July 24, 2025. In response, Cambodian citizens began boycotting all Thai imports, while Thailand announced a reciprocal ban on Cambodian goods.

On July 16, 2025, Cambodia’s General Department of Customs and Excise banned the import of Thai vegetables, fruits, fuel, and gas. Senate President Hun Sen also declared a halt to the import of what he called “strategic goods” from Thailand — including electricity, internet services, fuel, gas, and even Thai films.

A report released by the customs department on October 10 showed that from January to September 2025, bilateral trade between Cambodia and Thailand fell to 2.9 billion US dollars, an 8.2 percent decline compared to the previous year. Cambodian exports to Thailand dropped by 10.7 percent to about 576 million dollars, while Thai imports to Cambodia decreased by 7.6 percent to around 2.33 billion dollars.

Thailand’s Khaosod newspaper reported on October 29 that cross-border trade between the two countries plunged by 99.9 percent in September, as the border crossings remained closed for a fifth consecutive month.

The United States has seized $ 15 billion in cryptocurrency tied to Chinese-Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi, chairman of Prince Holding Group and an adviser to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Chen and 118 affiliated companies are under investigation for their alleged involvement in large-scale online fraud and crypto-related scams.

According to a statement issued on October 14, prosecutors in New York said Chen Zhi could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted. Federal investigators allege that thousands of workers were trafficked into Cambodia under false promises of legitimate jobs, only to be forced into operating cyber scam networks, fake cryptocurrency investments, and other fraudulent projects.

The Justice Department said investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uncovered evidence from more than 1,200 mobile phones, which were connected to over 76,000 social media accounts used in scam operations. Officials described Prince Group as one of Asia’s largest transnational criminal enterprises, now operating in 30 countries.

A 2024 Chinese investigation report also identified Chen Zhi as the head of Prince Group, which was founded in 2015 and operates across Cambodia in real estate, banking, retail, and luxury services, reportedly generating billions of dollars in annual revenue. Chen is also said to own a quarter stake in Cuba’s national cigar company, valued at 2.8 billion dollars, and a 114 million dollar office property in London’s upscale district.

In April 2024, Hun Sen appointed Chen Zhi as his personal adviser, a year after the businessman was granted the honorary title of “Oknha” for his financial contributions to the Cambodian state.

The U.S. seizure comes as Washington steps up efforts to combat cross-border online crime. Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced Bill H.R. 5490, aimed at creating an interagency task force to dismantle international cybercrime networks operating from Cambodia.

Khmer Democracy Soeng Senkaruna said today that online fraud and human trafficking cannot be solved by Cambodia’s leadership alone and require international intervention. “The international community clearly has no confidence in Cambodia’s ability to stop these crimes,” he said, adding that the FBI, South Korea, and the UK have all launched independent investigations.

In response, Prince Bank stated on October 15, asserting that its governance framework complies with the National Bank of Cambodia’s transparency and accountability standards. The bank insisted that U.S. sanctions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) would not affect its domestic operations.

However, Cambodia Watchdog Council Men Nath accused the bank of deceiving customers, calling its statement “a deliberate attempt to mislead public trust.” He warned that once U.S. and British authorities freeze Chen Zhi’s global assets, international financial networks using the U.S. dollar standard will automatically restrict the bank’s activities.

Men Nath added that even with Cambodian regulatory approval, Prince Bank could not escape international sanctions if the investigation confirms wrongdoing. He further cautioned that if the National Bank of Cambodia is found complicit, it could also face restrictions from the global central banking system.

The case marks one of the largest cryptocurrency-related asset seizures in U.S. history and highlights growing scrutiny over Cambodia’s alleged role as a hub for regional cybercrime operations.

Malaysia’s foreign minister has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the upcoming ASEAN summit in Malaysia and serve as a witness to the signing of the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.

The South China Morning Post quoted Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan on October 14, saying that President Trump will travel to Malaysia in just 11 days to join the ASEAN leaders’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The summit is scheduled to take place from October 26 to 28, with the Cambodia-Thailand peace agreement to be formally signed under President Trump’s supervision.

Minister Mohamad Hasan added that Malaysia, in coordination with the United States, will help facilitate the ceasefire agreement, which requires both Cambodia and Thailand to remove heavy weaponry and demining equipment from their respective border areas.

He expressed hope that the summit would result in the signing of a declaration, referred to as the Kuala Lumpur agreement, aimed at ensuring long-term peace and maintaining the ceasefire between the two neighboring countries.

On the Thai side, government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat told The Nation that Thailand expects Cambodia to adhere to four key conditions previously outlined regarding past border conflicts.

In connection with the planned signing, international observer Vorn Chanlout noted on social media that Cambodia and Thailand have already established a framework of agreements, including the Paris Peace Accord, and that additional ceasefire arrangements may not be strictly necessary. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that Thailand respects the ceasefire scheduled for the upcoming summit, as past violations by Thai forces have gone unchallenged by the United States.

The summit will mark a key moment in diplomatic efforts to stabilize the Cambodia-Thailand border, with ASEAN and international observers closely monitoring compliance and implementation of prior agreements.

Cambodian Senate President and Cambodian People’s Party leader Hun Sen has raised concerns with senior Malaysian officials about disturbing “ghost sounds” and other harassment by Thai forces in the villages of O’Beichoan and Ta Krabey. Hun Sen warned that the sonic disturbances could escalate tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

Writing on his Facebook page following a meeting with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Hun Sen described the situation at O’Beichoan and Ta Krabey as including loud and disruptive ghostly noises from Thai sources aimed at Cambodian villagers. These incidents have reportedly continued over several nights. Hun Sen described the broader Cambodia-Thailand border situation as worrisome and a potential flashpoint for renewed conflict.

Hun Sen emphasized that Cambodia does not seek to criticize any nation or ally but aims to ensure that ceasefire agreements are respected and that a diplomatic resolution restores normal relations between Cambodia and Thailand.

Two days earlier, Malaysian military observer Samsul Rizal Bin Musa praised Thai border forces for maintaining a professional and disciplined adherence to the ceasefire, from ordinary soldiers to senior officers. Hun Sen noted that the role of the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister is critical for guaranteeing the ceasefire and facilitating dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand in his capacity as ASEAN chair. He recalled that when Cambodia held the ASEAN rotating chair in 2022, it faced criticism for being unable to resolve conflicts in Myanmar and Laos.

Meanwhile, the Banteay Meanchey provincial authorities reported that from the nights of October 10 to October 12, Thai forces used loudspeakers to broadcast disruptive sounds throughout O’Beichoan and Ta Krabey. These included documentary-style audio, Thai music, traditional Khmer music, Buddhist chanting, radio static, and other noise intended to disturb residents.

Thai media outlet The Nation quoted senior officials from Thailand’s Office of the Attorney General on October 13, warning that transmitting ghostly or loud sounds across the Cambodia-Thailand border could expose Thailand to allegations of violating the Convention Against Torture.

Human Rights Watch’s Thailand representative, Sunai Phasuk, wrote on social media earlier this week that the use of these disruptive sounds, orchestrated by Thai nationalist Kan Jomphalang, to intimidate and psychologically disturb Cambodian villagers along the border constitutes a serious human rights violation.

In response, Cambodian official Anuthin Chanvirakun has called for a review to determine whether bilateral memoranda of understanding from 2000 and 2001 should be revised or revoked. Legal experts noted that such memoranda, which are not binding treaties, could be annulled under Article 56 of the 1969 Vienna Convention. Human Rights Watch also stressed that the Thai actions violate both international human rights law and Thai domestic law, potentially exposing Thailand to international criticism.

Three U.S. Republican members of Congress, Jefferson Shreve from Indiana, John Moolenaar from Michigan, and Michael Ruuli from Ohio, have introduced a resolution, H.R. 5490, calling for Cambodia to be placed on a “blacklist” for alleged transnational crimes. The proposal also seeks sanctions against specific Cambodian government officials and business leaders accused of involvement in criminal activities, including connections with Chinese firms.

Three members of the U.S. House of Representatives from the Republican Party — Jefferson Shreve of Indiana, John Moolenaar of Michigan, and Michael Ruuli of Ohio — have submitted a resolution to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs titled “Promoting International Fraudsters Accountability Act.”

The resolution calls for placing Cambodia on the blacklist and proposes sanctions against certain corrupt government officials and Cambodian tycoons, many of whom are closely connected by family ties or political allegiance to ruling party leader Hun Sen, as well as several Cambodian companies that collaborate with Chinese firms.

The resolution, submitted to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, aims to establish a task force to coordinate interagency efforts to dismantle transnational criminal networks operating online in Cambodia. These networks have reportedly targeted U.S. citizens through scams and other illicit schemes.

According to the proposal, 43 individuals, including members of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s inner circle and their relatives, are named for sanctions. Among them are business figures such as Neth Savoeun, a relative of Hun Sen; Hun To, a family member involved in the energy and natural resources sector; Kok An, a close associate of Hun Sen; Rithy Raksmei; Ing Dara; Honn Sorachna; Chou Bun Eng; and a South African national, Benjamin Mauerberger, known as Ben Smith, alleged to have managed operations for Hun Sen and Thak Sin Chinnavattra.

The resolution also includes sanctions on companies tied to these individuals, such as White Sands Palace Casino, the Hongmen World Cultural and Historical Association, and the Huione Group, operated by Hun To, along with other Cambodian firms that collaborate with Chinese entities.

On September 18, 2025, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission reported that Cambodia is linked to Chinese-run fraud centers operating in the region, including in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. These networks reportedly targeted U.S. citizens, with losses estimated at $5 billion in 2024 alone.

Amnesty International, in a June 2025 report, estimated that over 120,000 people in Cambodia had been detained or forced to work for criminal enterprises running global online scams.

Former businessman Heng Sithy, currently in custody, revealed on January 10, 2025, that Yan Narong, a Chinese national managing Hun To’s operations, was operating fraudulent schemes targeting countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Heng Sithy stated that Hun To was the company director, while Yan Narong served as general manager, alongside several other Chinese executives holding top management positions within the company.

The Cambodia Daily was unable to reach current Cambodian government officials for comment at the time of publication.