Phnom Penh (FN), Sep. 5 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that the border ring road extends over 2,660 kilometres, with 1,300 kilometres already constructed. In July, Samdech Thipadei approved a budget of over USD 200 million to complete the remaining 1,300 kilometres over the next decade.

The premier spoke on Thursday (Sep. 5) during a certificate presentation ceremony for nearly 2,000 law students and trainees at OCIC in Phnom Penh.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed gratitude to the public for their voluntary contributions to the Border Infrastructure Fund. Regardless of the amount, he considered all contributions to be of equal value, reflecting a true spirit of patriotism and showcasing the noble character of the Cambodian people. He underlined that participation from all walks of life is not just a symbolic gesture but a practical action in defending the country's territory.

Samdech Thipadei considered the construction of infrastructure along the border, particularly the border ring road, as a crucial task to promote development in remote border areas.

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei underlined the importance of developing border areas, particularly in the four provinces, by promoting infrastructure to connect the Cambodian people. He also recalled how difficult it was for the army to patrol the border during his time in the military, underlining that relying on the army to patrol the border indefinitely is not sustainable. Instead, he pointed out that involving the local population as a "living border fence" is a more enduring solution. If people settle and live there, they will recognise the land as their own, reinforced by the establishment of border posts.

It should be noted that from 2017 to 2022, 685.96 kilometres of the border ring road between Cambodia and Viet Nam were completed out of a planned 1,069 kilometres. Road construction along the border with Thailand began in 1994 and continued until 2023, with 455.5 kilometres completed out of a planned 509 kilometres. Additionally, between 2015 and 2022, 179.2 kilometres of roads were built along the Cambodian border with Laos, out of a planned 377 kilometres.

On 4 July 2024, Samdech Thipadei granted unanimous approval to the Engineering Force Command, under the General Command of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), to finalise a plan for the establishment of border posts and the construction of communication infrastructure along Cambodia’s borders with Thailand, Laos, and Viet Nam over a 10-year period (2024–2034) on the land already agreed upon.
=FRESH NEWS