Phnom penh: The Royal Government of Cambodia reaffirmed its "unwavering stance" on national sovereignty Tuesday, asserting that while it remains committed to a peaceful resolution of border disputes with Thailand, it will not trade territory for peace.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Royal Government Spokesperson H.E. Pen Bona detailed the administration's dual-track strategy during a press briefing titled "Updates on the Cambodia-Thailand Border Situation." The strategy focuses on maintaining firm diplomatic pressure while addressing the humanitarian needs of displaced civilians.
The briefing follows a Jan. 31 visit by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet to displaced families in Preah Vihear province. During his visit, the Prime Minister emphasized that the current ceasefire does not signal a softening of Cambodia's territorial claims. He stated that the Royal Government has not abandoned its right to protect the land and that signing a ceasefire is not a trade-off for ceding territory.
The Prime Minister highlighted that while legal and technical resolutions through international mechanisms may be slow, they provide the only path to achieving "long-term peace for everyone."
The rhetoric comes amid intensified diplomatic activity. Cambodia has issued a series of formal protest notes via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the State Secretariat of Border Affairs, accusing Thailand of actions inconsistent with the Joint Statement signed on Dec. 27, 2025.
Speaking at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Cebu, Philippines, on Jan. 29, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Prak Sokhonn warned that despite the ceasefire, certain activities by Thailand violate sovereignty and risk undermining the fragile peace. He urged for a resolution based on the principle of non-use of force, warning that such actions could escalate tensions and hinder efforts to restore normalcy.
The government spokesperson reaffirmed that Cambodia maintains an unwavering position in defending the Cambodia-Thailand international border as inherited from historical agreements and conventions. Cambodia categorically rejects any alteration of the border resulting from the use of force, firmly standing by the principle of intangibility of frontiers and all relevant agreements and documents mutually agreed upon by both parties.