AKP Phnom Penh, November 17, 2025 --

Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has reaffirmed that Cambodia will never request Thailand to reopen the border, stressing that the decision lies entirely with the Thai side.

“I would like to send a message to both the Thai military and civil leaders that Cambodia will not lower itself to ask the Thai side to reopen the border,” he said while presiding over the opening ceremony of the 33rd National Congress of Buddhist Monks in Phnom Penh this morning.

“We are not the ones who closed the border, you are. The key is in your hands. Cambodia is not asking Thailand to open the border,” he underlined.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen continued that Cambodia must instead strengthen its domestic production capacity and seek alternative supply sources to meet local needs.

At the same time, he urged Cambodians not to engage in radical nationalism by boycotting Thai goods produced by Thai investments in Cambodia, warning that such actions could lead to negative consequences.

The Senate President acknowledged that both Cambodia and Thailand are currently in a “lose-lose” situation due to border tensions, but noted that Cambodia is less affected because it exports less to Thailand than it imports.

“The disputed area is very small compared to the peaceful land we share, but we are worrying about everything,” he said. “Please think clearly — when peace returns, good neighbourly relations will also return. Many mechanisms are already in place, and we should allow experts to handle the issue.”

By Heng Panha