(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen said that foreign investors manufacturing goods in Cambodia must have their products regarded as Cambodian products, and that Cambodia needs to strengthen its production capacity or find alternative markets to replace Thai products.

Samdech Techo spoke on Monday (Nov. 17) during the 33rd National Congress of Buddhist Monks at the National Institute of Education.

Samdech Techo reaffirmed Cambodia’s position that it will not ask Thailand to reopen border checkpoints, as the “key” is with Thailand. Since Thailand closed the border unilaterally, it must be the one to reopen it.

“Cambodia must strengthen its capacity to produce and seek alternative markets to replace Thai products… But let me clarify one thing: do not go to extremes by targeting Thai investors who manufacture goods in Cambodia,” Samdech underscored.

“When they manufacture goods in Cambodia, those products must be regarded as Cambodian products—for example, CP products,” he added.

It should be recalled that on 24 June 2025, Thailand unilaterally closed all border checkpoints without notifying Cambodia. This action came after Cambodia decided to suspend the import of electricity, fuel, vegetables, and fruits from Thailand to avoid repeated threats by the Thai government.

Regarding the border closure, Prime Minister Hun Manet has repeatedly affirmed Cambodia’s stance that “The border closure did not start with Cambodia, it was Thailand. Thailand closed the border unilaterally, so they must be the ones to reopen it. If Thailand reopens, Cambodia will reopen within five hours.”

Nevertheless, with regard to Thai investors operating in Cambodia, Samdech Techo Hun Sen urged the public to regard their products as Cambodian products and to avoid extreme reactions that could harm Cambodia’s own economy.

He also noted that the energy company PTT has now suspended the import of fuel from Thailand, choosing instead to import fuel from Singapore and Malaysia.

Additionally, Samdech Techo Hun Sen appealed to all business owners who still hold old stock to sell off existing goods and avoid importing new stock during this period.
=FRESH NEWS