"Hun Manet" Rejects Thai Land Grabs, Demands Border Talks, AOT Power Boost

MGR Online•General•18d ago

Reader Briefing

Cambodian PM Hun Manet demands adherence to border demarcation agreements and increased authority for ASEAN observers amidst ongoing territorial disputes with Thailand.

•Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated Cambodia will not recognize territory seized by Thailand as its border.
•Hun Manet called for an immediate meeting of the Joint Border Committee (JBC) to demarcate the border as per a joint statement from December 27, 2025.
•He also requested enhanced powers for the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) to monitor compliance with agreements.
•The discussions occurred during a trilateral meeting with Thai PM Srettha Thavisin and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 7.

Overview

•On May 7, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that Cambodia will not accept territory seized by Thailand as the border line, in order to uphold territorial integrity.
•The statement was made after a trilateral meeting with Thailand and the Philippines in Cebu, Philippines, amidst ongoing border disputes.
•Hun Manet insisted that the border must be demarcated through the Joint Border Committee (JBC) as agreed upon in a joint statement dated December 27, 2025, with no further delays.
•Hun Manet demanded an increase in the authority of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) to monitor the implementation of mutually agreed-upon measures, ensuring compliance.
•Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated that borders cannot be changed or determined by force or through a fait accompli on the ground.
•Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin agreed to have their respective Foreign Ministers continue direct discussions to develop practical approaches to de-escalate and rebuild trust.
•The mandate of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) will be extended for another three months until July, facilitating continued negotiations and cooperation.
•This meeting marked the first encounter between Hun Manet and Srettha Thavisin since October 2025, prior to significant border clashes in December of the same year.

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Key Quotes

Hun Manet

"Cambodia will not accept Thai-seized territory as the border line. We must follow the joint statement of Dec 27, 2025, to expedite the JBC meeting for demarcation."

กัมพูชาไม่ยอมรับการยึดพื้นที่ของไทยเป็นเส้นเขตแดน ลั่นต้องทำตามถอ้ยแถลงร่วม 27 ธ.ค.68 เร่งประชุม JBC ปักปันเขตแดน

Hun Manet

"Cambodia will not accept any attempt to change the border through force or unilateral action on the ground."

กัมพูชาจะไม่ยอมรับความพยายามใด ๆ ที่จะเปลี่ยนแปลงเขตแดนผ่านการใช้กำลัง หรือการดำเนินการฝ่ายเดียวในพื้นที่

Hun Manet

"Cambodia will not accept Thai-seized territory as the border line."

กัมพูชาจะไม่ยอมรับการยึดพื้นที่ของไทยเป็นเส้นเขตแดน

Hun Manet

"Borders cannot be changed or determined by force, or through the creation of a fait accompli."

เขตแดนไม่สามารถเปลี่ยนแปลงหรือกำหนดได้ด้วยกำลัง หรือผ่านการสร้างข้อเท็จจริงโดยพฤตินัย(fait accompli)

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"There was a very frank discussion about the border situation between Cambodia and Thailand."

มีการหารืออย่างตรงไปตรงมาอย่างมากเกี่ยวกับสถานการณ์ชายแดนระหว่างกัมพูชาและไทย

Key Entities

Person

Hun Manet(ฮุน มาเนต)ℹ️

Prime Minister of Cambodia, who stated Cambodia's stance on border disputes with Thailand.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Prime Minister of Thailand, who participated in the trilateral meeting with Cambodia and the Philippines.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.(เฟอร์ดินานด์ มาร์กอส จูเนียร์)ℹ️

President of the Philippines and ASEAN Chair, who mediated the discussion between Cambodia and Thailand.

Place

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️

The country involved in the border dispute with Thailand.

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

The country involved in the border dispute with Cambodia.

Philippines(ฟิลิปปินส์)ℹ️

The country that hosted the trilateral meeting and acted as mediator.

Organization

The Phnom Penh Post(The Phnom Pehn Post)ℹ️

Cambodian media outlet that reported on Prime Minister Hun Manet's statements.

ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️

The regional organization whose summit was attended, and whose observer team's role was discussed.

Joint Border Committee (JBC)(คณะกรรมาธิการเขตแดนร่วม (JBC))ℹ️

The committee responsible for border demarcation between Cambodia and Thailand, whose meeting was urgently requested.

ASEAN Observer Team (AOT)(คณะผู้สังเกตการณ์อาเซียน (AOT))ℹ️

The team whose powers were requested to be increased by Cambodia to monitor border agreements.

Law

Joint Statement of December 27, 2025(แถลงการณ์ร่วม 27 ธ.ค.68)ℹ️

The agreement between Cambodia and Thailand that Hun Manet insists must be followed regarding border demarcation.

Memorandum of Understanding 2001(บันทึกความเข้าใจปี 2001)ℹ️

The framework agreement for maritime negotiations that Cambodia referenced after Thailand withdrew from it.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)(อนุสัญญาสหประชาชาติว่าด้วยกฎหมายทะเล (UNCLOS))ℹ️

The international convention Cambodia plans to use for resolving maritime disputes with Thailand.

Compulsory Conciliation(การประนีประนอมภาคบังคับ)ℹ️

The dispute resolution process Cambodia announced plans to initiate under UNCLOS.