Samdech Techo Hun Sen Urges Border Restrictions Amid Thai Attacks on Civilian Areas

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 13, 2025) — Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Saturday urged Prime Minister Hun Manet to consider urgent measures restricting cross-border travel, citing what he described as indiscriminate Thai attacks on civilian areas amid ongoing clashes.

In a Facebook post, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said the restrictions were necessary to prevent Cambodian workers in Thailand from crossing the border during hostilities and to ensure civilian safety on both sides.

“Over the past few days, Thai armed forces have invaded, attacked and killed Cambodian civilians indiscriminately, without regard for people or locations,” Samdech Techo Hun Sen wrote. “Bridges, roads, schools and pagodas have been targeted and destroyed using heavy artillery and aircraft.”

Samdech Techo also alleged that toxic smoke from cluster bombs had been used in several areas, including locations where Thai civilians live and work inside Cambodian territory.

He said that, in his capacity as Senate president, chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council to the king, and leader of the ruling party, he was advising the prime minister and the Royal Government of Cambodia to suspend all cross-border travel by Cambodian and Thai citizens until a full ceasefire is in place.

Samdech Techo added that Cambodian citizens currently living and working in Thailand should remain there, while Thai citizens in Cambodia should stay in Cambodia during the fighting.

“This measure is intended to ensure the safety of both Cambodian and Thai people, especially during travel and border crossings,” Samdech Techo Hun Sen said.

He appealed to Cambodian citizens in Thailand and Thai citizens in Cambodia to understand the situation and called on the government to ensure the safety of Thai nationals living in Cambodia.

“I also request the Royal Government of Cambodia to help protect Thai citizens living in Cambodia so that they do not suffer harm from gunfire, bombs or toxic smoke originating from Thailand,” Hun Sen said.