(Preah Vihear): Cambodian Senate President, Samdech Techo Hun Sen warned that Cambodia has the right to defend itself and retaliate any aggressors harbouring ambitions to seize Cambodian territory. He stressed that although Cambodia possesses weaponry capable of reaching Bangkok, the kingdom has no intention of using such arms offensively, but solely for national defence.

Samdech Techo spoke on Friday (Jun. 27) during a meeting with local council members in Preah Vihear province.

Samdech Techo affirmed Cambodia’s commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful means, both through bilateral mechanisms and via the International Court of Justice (ICJ). However, he clarified that the recent deployment of Cambodian troops to the border was prompted by the incident on 28 May 2025, in which a Cambodian soldier was killed following an unprovoked shooting by Thai forces.

“We have the right to defend ourselves and to retaliate against any form of aggression, regardless of our size. We are not only entitled to self-defence, but also to respond to attacks. In military terms, when the enemy reaches your trench, you do not wait to be fired upon, you respond immediately. Cambodia has no ambition to strike Bangkok, even though our weaponry capability could reach the city. That is not our path,” Samdech Techo underscored.

The Senate president continued by implying that Cambodia’s military capability is sufficient for defending the nation, pointing out that these weapons had already been tested in real combat during clashes in 2008 and 2011. His remarks appeared to be directed at the Thai side, which often boasts publicly of its advanced military equipment.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also posed a direct challenge to Bangkok, “If you claim Cambodia has violated Thai sovereignty, why not file a complaint with the international court? Why refuse to pursue legal proceedings? I call on the Thai people, the Cambodian people, and the international community to consider this issue carefully”.

Cambodia continues to adhere to both bilateral negotiation mechanisms and international legal pathways to resolve the Cambodia–Thailand border issue, which spans approximately 800 kilometres. Of that, around 50 kilometres remain to be settled through international courts.
=FRESH NEWS