In a powerful statement tonight, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, forcefully rejected the idea that Cambodia is seeking to have its border with Thailand reopened. Instead, he framed the Thai decision to close checkpoints as an unexpected opportunity that has energized local Cambodian production.
His remarks were made via social media, following a period of positive diplomatic movement between the two nations—a development he welcomed. This progress includes the recent signing of the Joint Statement and the initial withdrawal of heavy weaponry from disputed areas, a move verified by the ASEAN Observers Team (AOT), thanks to facilitation by the Malaysian Prime Minister and U.S. President Donald Trump as the Peace Envoy.
“This marks a step toward ending or easing tensions between the two countries, a development we should all celebrate,” he underlined.
Dispelling the Misconception
However, the Senate President issued a direct call to the Cambodian public, urging them not to be misled by repeated comments from some Thai leaders—including the Prime Minister—regarding the reopening of border checkpoints.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen suggested that these remarks may be strategically timed to serve as a campaign issue for upcoming elections in Thailand, creating a false impression that Cambodia has been lobbying for the border to be reopened.
“To the Cambodian people, I wish to reiterate: ever since Thailand unilaterally closed the border, Cambodia has never asked Thailand to reopen it. If Thailand wants to keep it closed for another 100 or even 500 years, that is entirely their decision. After all, the key is in Thailand’s hands,” he stressed.
Opportunity in Isolation
Far from being a sign of weakness, Samdech Techo Hun Sen argued that the border closure has spurred national economic growth. The closure, he said, has driven an increase in domestic goods production, effectively replacing Thai imports and stimulating the Cambodian economy from within.
Moreover, he emphasized that Thailand’s action is not just a bilateral issue, but a major disruption to regional connectivity, asking pointedly: “What becomes of the ASEAN highway, the ASEAN railway, and the Asia highway?”
The message concluded with a clear objective: to ensure both the Thai leadership and the Cambodian public understand that Cambodia is not pleading for border checkpoints to be reopened, and the Cambodian government will not “lower itself” to request such cooperation.