Cambodian PM says Thai forces occupy territory despite Trump brokered ceasefire

WASHINGTON, Feb 17, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet accused Thai forces of occupying Cambodian territory despite a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, urging Bangkok to allow a joint boundary commission to begin work on the disputed frontier.

Speaking to Reuters in Washington, where he is attending the inaugural meeting of Trump’s Peace Board, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet described the border situation as “fragile” despite the December truce that halted renewed clashes.

He said Thai troops had placed shipping containers and barbed wire inside areas previously recognised as Cambodian territory, preventing residents from returning home.

“This is not an accusation but a statement of facts on the ground,” he said, adding that Cambodia could not accept violations of its sovereignty.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet called for Thailand to permit technical demarcation work, noting that Bangkok had delayed citing its February 8 election. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul campaigned on nationalist rhetoric linked to the border dispute.

The clashes last year were the worst in more than a decade, displacing hundreds of thousands and disrupting trade along the 817 kilometre frontier.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, 48, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, said Cambodia’s ties with Washington and Beijing were “not mutually exclusive,” adding that Cambodia had “nothing to hide” regarding the China backed upgrade of the Ream naval base.