(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed his personal safety guarantee for Um Sam Ann and his team, urging them to accept his invitation for direct discussions with government border experts in Cambodia over disputed boundary markers 52 to 59 along the Cambodia–Thailand border.

In a statement posted on social media on Sunday (Oct. 11), Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet responded to Um Sam Ann’s approximately 80-minute message, saying he had yet to receive a clear answer to his invitation for evidence-based discussions with experts from Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs.

The premier maintained that Um Sam Ann had repeated previous allegations without providing sufficient factual evidence and appeared reluctant to travel to Cambodia over personal safety concerns, instead proposing that the discussions take place abroad.

Addressing those concerns, Samdech Thipadei reiterated his guarantee of safety for Um Sam Ann and his team throughout their stay in Cambodia until their departure.

“If he does not trust me or the Royal Government, he may also seek additional safety monitoring from any foreign embassy in Cambodia or any civil society organisation he trusts,” the prime minister said.

He stressed that making such a public guarantee reflected his responsibility as the country’s leader, arguing that any harm to Um Sam Ann would undermine public confidence in his leadership.

“If I had any malicious intentions towards Um Sam Ann, there would be no reason for me to make such a public guarantee,” he said.

Regarding the proposed venue, Samdech Thipadei outlined two main reasons for holding the discussions in Cambodia.

First, he said the arrangement would allow journalists, political party representatives, civil society organisations, students, intellectuals, members of the public and Um Sam Ann’s supporters to attend and observe the exchanges firsthand.

Second, the premier stressed that holding the talks in Cambodia would enable both sides to conduct on-site verification of disputed locations if documentary evidence alone failed to establish clear findings.

He argued that discussions confined to exchanging documents could prolong disagreements and create further public confusion without resolving the underlying questions.

“If discussions based on documents alone cannot produce clear and conclusive findings, then only practical verification on the ground can provide the necessary clarity,” Samdech Thipadei said.

The prime minister reiterated that the proposed discussions were intended to promote transparency, accountability and factual accuracy concerning the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute, particularly while the issue remains unresolved.

Samdech Thipadei concluded by expressing hope that Um Sam Ann and his team would accept the invitation and participate in direct discussions in Cambodia, allowing their claims to be examined by government experts and observed by the Cambodian public.
=FRESH NEWS