AKP Phnom Penh, June 29, 2025 —

Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on June 29 issued a four-point message to the people of both Cambodia and Thailand following a request from Thai authorities in Sa Kaeo province to reopen several border gates.

The full message is as follows:

“1. Cambodia fully acknowledges the challenges faced by both Cambodian and Thai citizens as a result of the border closure. This is why we had refrained from implementing such a measure first, even after the tensions in the Mom Bei area in late May 2025. Our aim has never been to disrupt cross-border travel or trade between the two nations.

2. Cambodia was not the party that initiated the unilateral closure or adjustment of border crossings. It was the Thai military that began, on June 7, 2025, to unilaterally close border checkpoints, modify opening and closing hours, and impose conditions on cross-border travel. These unilateral actions continued until June 24, 2025, when the Thai government formally announced the closure of all border checkpoints, citing security concerns.

3. The uncertainty and abrupt shifts in the Thai government’s political stance—coupled with the inconsistency between the policies declared by Thai political leaders and their actual implementation by the military on the ground—have created significant obstacles to achieving a precise, meaningful, and lasting resolution.

4. I have consistently stated that resolving the border closure issue is simple—if the Thai side, which has unilaterally closed the border since June 7, agrees to reopen it. Restoring the border to its original status and offering a clear assurance against future unilateral closures would be sufficient. Cambodia, in turn, will reopen its border checkpoints within five hours of such action. In short, the responsibility for resolving this matter rests with the Thai side.

Therefore, to the Thai authorities and citizens who wish to see the Cambodia-Thailand border reopen: there is no need to ask Cambodia. Instead, please direct your requests to those who hold actual power in Thailand—whether it is the military or others—to restore the border to its normal state as it was before June 7, 2025. Clear guarantees must also be provided to ensure there will be no more unilaterally closures or reopenings. That is all it takes for everything to return to normal.”

By Phen Rattanak