(Phnom Penh-Cambodia): As the nation navigates the sensitive and complex process of resolving border issues with a neighboring country, the spread of accusations lacking technical foundation or an understanding of border demarcation is an act that threatens national peace and unity.
Such behavior not only further complicates border issues, but also undermines national identity, state credibility, and society’s collective understanding of sensitive territorial matters.
This becomes even more dangerous when these distortions are wrapped in the rhetoric of “patriotism,” used as a political shield to conceal the private agenda of a small political circle.
The uninformed territorial accusations made by Oum Sam An are not just attempts to gain social-media attention. They come at a critical moment when Cambodia and Thailand are implementing the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement, under the scrutiny of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump and ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim.
This context makes the spread of false claims about “lost territory” particularly harmful, creating public confusion and placing unfair pressure on ASEAN’s peace-monitoring mission.
To poison public understanding of the border issue, Oum Sam An used a photocopied map taken from the U.S. Library of Congress as a political prop, interpreting it emotionally rather than technically.
He pointed randomly to locations—claiming “this is Khmer territory”—without documents, treaties, or internationally recognized references, while ignoring the established principles of border demarcation.
Worse still, he invoked the name of former Pailin governor Ee Chhean to legitimize his claims. Yet, Ee Chhean publicly rejected these assertions almost immediately, calling them pure fabrication.
*False Claims Spread During a Critical Technical Phase
Oum Sam An’s unfounded statements were made precisely when technical teams are conducting complex on-site surveys and implementing phased border demarcation.
His disinformation campaign—warning of “lost territory” or alleging “trading land for power”—is a malicious attempt to confuse the public, distort state policy, and undermine the integrity of the ASEAN Observer Team.
*Intentional Misuse of ‘Patriotism’ as Political Theater
His display of the “hand-holding-a-map” photo and his claims about the Pong Nam Ron area—near Kamrieng district, Battambang—were framed as “national defense.”
Yet his lack of technical expertise, historical cartographic knowledge, and international reference materials clearly shows that his so-called patriotism is nothing more than political theatrics, designed to exploit public sentiment rather than contribute to the nation.
*Ee Chhean’s Rebuttal Exposes Political Fabrication
When Oum Sam An cited Ee Chhean as evidence that Thailand had encroached into Cambodian territory, Ee Chhean himself swiftly reaffirmed that such claims were completely fabricated.
Prime Minister Hun Manet underscored this point, noting that inventing stories and misusing the names of former officials are tactics of social agitation, not the professional conduct expected in border affairs.
*Border Issues Require Science, Not Emotion
Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated that border demarcation cannot be based on rumors or emotional narratives. Accurate border definition requires:
French colonial maps (1904–1907)
Historical treaties and agreements
GPS and LiDAR surveying technologies
International legal instruments (MoU 2000, ToR 2003, ICJ Judgments 1962 and 2013)
Without this technical foundation, talk of “losing territory” is nothing more than emotion replacing science.
«If anyone genuinely wishes to learn», the Prime Minister said, «they are welcome to study with real experts—rather than falsely claiming expertise based on a single photocopied map.»
*National Unity Matters When Borders Are at Stake
Cambodia’s ongoing border-resolution efforts with Thailand are being carried out under international monitoring and ASEAN oversight.
At such a crucial time, the country needs unity, clarity, and responsibility—not fear-mongering, not nationalistic distortion, and not emotional manipulation.
False information endangers negotiation capacity, damages international confidence, and undermines the long-term work of professional border experts from both nations.
Conclusion:
Prime Minister Hun Manet’s message carries significance far beyond simply refuting Oum Sam An.
It serves as a defense of truth, territorial accuracy, and the integrity of international monitoring mechanisms that Cambodia is implementing carefully and responsibly.
In every nation, territorial protection cannot be achieved through incitement, disinformation, or careless speculation without evidence.
It requires expertise, science, technical credibility, political cooperation, and a clear understanding of the historical and legal basis for borders.
These principles lead to a profound truth:
True patriotism is not defined by loud voices or dramatic gestures.
It is defined by responsibility, factual clarity, and a commitment to truth above personal or political interests.
This is the form of patriotism that genuinely protects a nation in every circumstance.
