During the 2nd Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC-2) in Phnom Penh, Cambodian leaders addressed ongoing tensions with Thailand, characterizing the neighbor's actions as a form of “discredit warfare.” Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet utilized the international platform to highlight concerns regarding territorial encroachment and the slow implementation of border de-escalation measures.
Prime Minister Hun Manet described the current border situation as “fragile,” noting that despite a ceasefire established in December following last year’s clashes, various infrastructure projects and the placement of containers by Thai forces continue in disputed areas. “The installation of barbed wire, placement of containers, construction of infrastructure and allocation of land to [Thai] civilians before the border demarcation has taken place are matters of grave concern,” Hun Manet stated, emphasizing that Cambodia remains committed to peaceful resolution through international law.
Hun Sen, who chairs the conference, expanded on the nature of the dispute, suggesting that Thailand is exploiting internal vulnerabilities—such as the presence of online scam networks—to justify territorial occupation. He labeled this approach “discredit warfare,” arguing that it is intended to undermine Cambodian institutions and international reputation. According to his spokesperson, Chea Thyrith, Thailand was invited to the three-day event but chose not to attend.
The border conflict, which resulted in over 100 deaths and the displacement of 20,000 Cambodians last year, remains a point of significant contention. While Bangkok maintains that its presence in these zones is within its own territory or consistent with the ceasefire, the dispute has further complicated relations, including the recent stalling of negotiations regarding overlapping claims in the Gulf of Thailand.
Political analyst Seng Vannly noted that while the ISC-2 conference serves as a useful venue for Cambodia to bolster its diplomatic standing and advocate for law-based solutions, the forum lacks the judicial authority to enforce compliance or resolve the border impasse directly.
Source: CamboJA News
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