Last year, former President Donald Trump celebrated a notable achievement in mediating a cease-fire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. He pointed out, “Who else could say, ‘Call me and let’s stop a war between two very powerful countries’?” However, that agreement now seems to be under pressure. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet recently informed that Thai troops have moved into disputed Cambodian territories, which has resulted in the Thai military erecting barriers around villages. This has left around 80,000 residents unable to return to their homes.
“The claims are more than equal. Many villagers can’t go back,” Mane stated.
Cambodia and Thailand have a long history of territorial disputes, tracing back to boundaries drawn during French colonial times that both nations interpret differently today. Armed clashes frequently arise, especially around significant Khmer temple sites and less defined rural areas. Last year, tensions escalated again, leading to fighting in remote regions and displacing thousands. Diplomatic efforts led to a cease-fire, facilitated by U.S. involvement during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Recent visuals and reports from the area indicate significant damage to structures, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Preah Vihear Temple Complex, leading to rising safety concerns. Cambodian officials accused the Thai military of damaging these cultural sites, while Thailand denied intentionally targeting them, asserting that military actions were confined to disputed territories.
The Thai embassy has not commented on these developments.
Mane expressed that, despite the situation, he does not wish to threaten military action. “We’ve always prioritized peaceful solutions,” he remarked. “We believe that war cannot realistically resolve conflict.” Given Thailand’s far larger and better-equipped military—about four times Cambodia’s size—the risk of escalating conflict remains.
This week, Mane visited Washington to join President Trump’s first peace commission meeting as ongoing violence puts fragile stability at risk along the border. “The Peace Commission can play a valuable role in fostering peace and stability between our nations,” he noted.
In 2023, Hun Manet will take over the presidency from his father, Hun Sen, marking Cambodia’s first formal change in leadership in decades. However, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party continues to maintain tight control over politics, facing criticism for limiting opposition rights.
With military training exercises resuming with the U.S. after a hiatus in 2017, Mane is trying to balance relations between China and the U.S. Meanwhile, he insists Cambodia won’t pick sides in the geopolitics of larger powers.
Strategically important, Lem Naval Base has been rebuilt with Chinese investment. Recently, a visit by the USS Cincinnati—the first U.S. warship to enter Ream since renovations—was a significant event, as it docked close to a Chinese Navy vessel already at the base. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about Cambodia’s exclusive partnership with China.
But Mane claimed that the base is under Cambodian control, emphasizing, “Our constitution specifies that no foreign military base can be established on our soil.” Additionally, he mentioned that a yearly military drill known as Angkor Sentinel is set to resume this year, indicating a potential warming in defense relations with the U.S.
In recent years, Cambodia has become a center for major online fraud, including deceptive schemes that have defrauded people worldwide, notably Americans, of billions. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Cambodian entities involved in cryptocurrency fraud, amid worries about human trafficking and forced labor tied to some operations. This has put pressure on the Cambodian government to enhance enforcement measures.
Mane stated that the government has increased collaboration with U.S. authorities, including working with the FBI to break up significant criminal operations. He asserted, “We’ve recently partnered with the FBI on a major case involving a notable figure, leading to arrests and the shutdown of one of our substantial facilities.”
