Hun Manet Urges Calm and Unity as Cambodia Pursues Border Talks with Thailand

On the morning of October 22, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Cambodia held important evidence and negotiating leverage in handling its border dispute with Thailand, but some information involved state secrets and could not be disclosed freely. Hun Manet said the government had closely monitored the Cambodia–Thailand border situation, had not neglected territorial issues, and would continue examining solutions to protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests. He said the government’s negotiating cards needed to be used at the appropriate time in discussions with Thailand, rather than in domestic political arguments. Sensitive material could not all be made public simply to answer criticism. Some overseas opposition figures had recently questioned the government’s handling of the border issue and demanded publication of the evidence. In response, Hun Manet named Um Sam An and his supporters and criticised comments that he said could deepen public suspicion and undermine national unity. Hun Manet urged people to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and give the government the trust and time it needed. He also stressed the importance of national unity, support for the armed forces and protection of national interests while the border issues remained unresolved. The Cambodia–Thailand border dispute continues to attract attention. Further official information is needed to clarify the evidence and progress in negotiations.