Cambodia’s Senate President Clarifies by Border Stance Amid Thai Election Rhetoric

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov.05,2025) — Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of Cambodia’s Senate, on Wednesday praised recent diplomatic progress with Thailand but cautioned citizens not to misinterpret political rhetoric surrounding the reopening of border checkpoints, which remain closed following a unilateral decision by Thailand.

His remarks follow the signing of a Joint Statement between Cambodia and Thailand, brokered by the Malaysian Prime Minister in his role as ASEAN Chair and U.S. President Donald Trump as Peace Envoy. The agreement led to the convening of Joint Border Committee (JBC) and Regional Border Committee (RBC) meetings and the initial withdrawal of heavy weaponry from disputed areas, monitored by the ASEAN Observers Team.

“This is a step toward easing tensions — a development we should all celebrate,” Samdech Techo Hun Sen said.

However, he warned against reading too much into recent statements by Thai officials, including the Prime Minister, who have repeatedly raised the issue of reopening border checkpoints. Samdech Techo Hun Sen suggested the topic may be used as a campaign issue ahead of Thailand’s upcoming elections.

“The Cambodian people must not go to bed with misleading information,” he said. “Cambodia has never asked Thailand to reopen the border. If Thailand wants to keep it closed for 100 or even 500 years, that is their decision. The key is in Thailand’s hands.”

Samdech Techo Hun Sen emphasized that the closure has not harmed Cambodia’s economy, but instead spurred growth in domestic production by reducing reliance on Thai imports.

“This is not just a bilateral matter,” he added. “Thailand’s closure disrupts ASEAN and Asia as a whole — affecting the ASEAN highway, the ASEAN railway, and the Asia highway.”

He urged the Thai public to view the issue as an internal political matter and called on Cambodian citizens to reject any notion that their government is pleading for cooperation.

“I hope this message reaches Thai leadership and the Thai public clearly,” Samdech Techo said. “Cambodia is not begging.”