(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed on Thursday morning (Oct. 23) that Cambodia has not ceded any part of its sovereign territory to Thailand in exchange for a ceasefire or peace agreement.

The premier wrote on his social media on Thursday (Oct. 23) as follows:

“Dear beloved compatriots,

Today, I wish to inform you about our ongoing efforts to resolve the situation at Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages, where progress has been made toward a clearer and more constructive dialogue. Both sides are now discussing legal principles to reach a peaceful solution.

The issue began when Thai military personnel used barbed wire and vehicles to encircle some Cambodian villagers’ homes and farmland over the past two months, causing difficulties and distress among local residents. This situation has also stirred public concern among Cambodians both inside and outside the country.

The Royal Government’s priority from the beginning has been to prevent escalation, protect civilians, and resolve the issue as soon as possible through restraint and peaceful means. The use of violence would not only fail to solve the problem but could also expand the conflict geographically and worsen the impact on more civilians.

I understand the frustration of our people because the government’s patient approach sometimes takes time to yield visible results. As tensions continued, some may have lost hope or misunderstood that the government secretly agreed to give away Cambodian land in exchange for peace.

I firmly reaffirm that there has been no secret deal or concession of Cambodian sovereign territory in any form. Cambodia has not and will not violate the sovereignty of neighboring countries, but at the same time, Cambodia will not tolerate any violation of its own territorial integrity.

The border issue is a centuries-old and complex matter, which requires cooperation and mutual understanding to ensure long-term peace and coexistence between the people of both nations. Any acceptable solution must be based on transparency, mutual consent, and legal treaties without coercion from either side.

The JBC is the competent body responsible for the joint demarcation process. It continues to work in accordance with existing treaties and agreements, and over the past 20 years, significant progress has been achieved, though the work is not yet complete.

During the recent two-day JBC meeting (21-22 October 2025), both sides held detailed and constructive discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages (between border markers 42 and 47).

The two sides agreed to continue technical activities for joint measurements and temporary boundary demarcation, using the 1/200,000 map, the 1907 treaty, and the Franco–Siamese boundary records as the foundation. The outcomes will be cross-checked against the actual occupation and settlement of local residents on both sides.

Only through this transparent and lawful approach can both countries reach a sustainable solution, enabling residents in the affected villages to resume normal lives and ensuring that the problem does not linger for years to come.”
=FRESH NEWS