Senate President Says Paris Peace Accord Not Applicable to Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.24,2025) — Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Friday the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement cannot be used to resolve the country’s border dispute with Thailand, asserting that the government under Prime Minister Hun Manet has already moved beyond the accord through international and bilateral mechanisms.

Speaking at the 4th Session of the Senate’s 5th Legislature, Samdech Techo Hun Sen criticized opposition groups for urging signatory countries of the Paris Peace Agreements to convene a meeting on the issue.

“Some opposition groups have called on the signatories of the Paris Peace Agreement to meet immediately to find a solution regarding the border issue with Thailand,” he said. “You can ask the signatories — Indonesia, France and others — whether they agree to such a meeting. How can the Paris Peace Agreement solve this issue? It absolutely cannot be used under that framework.”

Samdech Techo questioned whether his critics understood the terms of the agreement, suggesting they were either unaware of its limitations or deliberately misinterpreting it.

He said the Cambodian government had already taken “steps beyond the Paris Peace Agreement” by engaging the U.N. Security Council, the International Court of Justice and maintaining bilateral dialogue with Thailand.

Samdech Techo cited recent progress through the Joint Boundary Commission, General Border Committee and Regional Border Committee, saying talks had led to greater mutual understanding.

He added that a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand is expected to be signed in Malaysia during the upcoming ASEAN Summit.