AKP Phnom Penh, June 13, 2025 --

Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has emphasised that Cambodia is not seeking weapons or ammunition that could lead to bloodshed with Thailand. Instead, the country is calling for support and encouragement toward a peaceful and lawful resolution.

In a social media post this evening, Samdech Techo Hun Sen recalled Cambodia’s vote against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations General Assembly, stating, “Both my compatriots and our international friends may now better understand why I decided to instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cambodia’s representatives to vote against Russia in 2022—a move that surprised many countries regarding Cambodia’s position.”

“I have always believed that one day Thailand might repeat the actions similar to those taken between 2008 and 2011. Today, we are already witnessing acts of aggression and disregard for international law. Therefore, my decision can now be understood— both by the international law-abiding community and in the context of Cambodia’s future relations with Thailand,” he said.

Moreover, Samdech Techo called on all states that uphold a foreign policy based on the rule of law to encourage both parties to resolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law.

He urged the that law-abiding nations to encourage Thailand to resolve the border disputes through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), specifically on the following four critical points: 1. The Emerald Triangle (Mom Bei) area between Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand; 2. Ta Moan Thom Temple; 3. Ta Moan Tauch Temple; and 4. Ta Krabei Temple.

“Cambodia is not asking for weapons or ammunition leading to bloodshed with Thailand. Instead, Cambodia seeks encouragement toward peaceful resolution—through bilateral dialogue and legal means,” he affirmed.

While Cambodia-Thailand border spans over 800 kilometres, Cambodia is raising only four areas—those identified as sensitive and prone to potential armed conflict—to be resolved in advance through the courts. “These four issues cannot be settled through bilateral mechanisms even within the next 100 years. Therefore, only the ICJ is capable of resolving them,” he emphasised. 

Resorting to the legal path does not constitute war-mongering, said the Senate President, stressing that it is a peaceful, lawful approach that helps prevent future bloodshed. For governments, resolving matters through the courts also provides a clearer way to explain outcomes to their own citizens—even in the face of unfavourable rulings.

He cited positive precedents from ASEAN: Indonesia and Malaysia, Singapore and Malaysia—all of whom brought territorial disputes before the ICJ and accepted the court’s rulings. As a result, diplomatic relations between these countries remain strong, with no lasting tensions.

 “Evading legal resolution is tantamount to committing violations and disregarding the rule of law in a global order that values and respects legal norms,” Samdech Techo Hun Sen concluded.

By C. Nika