Thai FM hits back at Cambodia’s ‘occupation’ claim in France 24 interview

2026-02-24 - 07:23

PARIS — 23 Febuary 2026, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow rejected claims by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet that Thailand continues to occupy Cambodian territory, saying both sides had agreed under a ceasefire that troops would remain in their current positions while working towards a boundary settlement. In an interview with France 24 on Monday during his visit to Paris, Sihasak said the ceasefire remained “fragile” and urged de-escalation and confidence-building measures. “First of all, we have reached a ceasefire agreement but the fact is that the ceasefire is still fragile,” he said. “At this moment in time, we have to work to de-escalate the situation, build trust and confidence so that we can move forward in our relationship.” Responding to Hun Manet’s allegation in the United States that Thai forces occupy areas deep inside Cambodia, Sihasak said the two countries had agreed their troops would stay where they were as part of the ceasefire arrangement. He argued that prior to the recent conflict there had been clear encroachment by the Cambodian side into Thai territory. “We have to look at the facts,” he said, adding that both sides should avoid escalation, provocation and misinformation. On allegations that Thai troops had placed shipping containers and barbed wire in areas previously recognised as Cambodian territory, Sihasak said the measures were taken within Thai territory, in areas where Cambodian encroachment had occurred over time. He said some of the disputes dated back to the period following the Cambodian conflict, when Thailand hosted about 400,000 Cambodian refugees. After peace was restored, some villagers did not return, contributing to overlapping claims in certain areas. Asked about remarks by Prime Minister Anutin vowing a strong stance, including possible construction of a border wall, Sihasak said Thailand would take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, including preventive steps where needed. However, he said the future trajectory depended largely on Cambodia’s approach. “It’s the Cambodian side that keeps internationalising the conflict,” he said, accusing Phnom Penh of making untrue claims even after the ceasefire. Sihasak said he remains in direct contact with his Cambodian counterpart via WhatsApp to prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of renewed clashes. With Thailand in the process of forming a new government following a recent election, he said some issues would need to await the new administration. “We have to keep things calm. Further conflict means more losses. I don’t think that’s in the interest of our two countries,” he said. On a recent maritime incident in which Cambodia accused the Thai navy of intercepting three Cambodians in its territorial waters, while Thailand said they were in Thai waters, Sihasak said Thailand had a duty to act if there was intrusion into its territory. He accused Cambodia of attempting to portray Thailand as the aggressor, saying Thailand had a long tradition of diplomacy and valued peaceful coexistence with its neighbours. He suggested that nationalist rhetoric in Cambodia could be driven partly by domestic political considerations. Turning to Myanmar, Sihasak said Thailand was not endorsing recent elections there but viewed them as a possible transition point. He said Thailand and ASEAN were urging continued dialogue, reconciliation and a viable peace process as conditions for re-engagement. “It’s not a one-way street,” he said. “If Myanmar wants to re-engage, they also have to show that they are committed to dialogue and peace.” Thailand, as a neighbouring country, has a strong interest in sustainable peace and stability in Myanmar, he added.