Hun Manet Says US Urges Thailand to Avoid Border Actions That Could Escalate Tensions

Hun Manet Says US Urges Thailand to Avoid Border Actions That Could Escalate Tensions

PHNOM PENH, October 7, 2026 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the United States has urged Thailand to halt actions that could escalate tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border or be seen as attempts to encroach on Cambodian territory.

Speaking on October 7, Hun Manet said a US Embassy official met with him three days earlier and conveyed a message from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the situation along the border.

According to Hun Manet, the US official said Washington had spoken with Thailand and asked it to stop activities that could increase tensions or demonstrate an attempt to encroach on Cambodian territory.

Hun Manet did not identify the US official who met with him.

US support for Kuala Lumpur agreement

Hun Manet also said the United States had reaffirmed its support for the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed by Cambodia and Thailand on October 26, 2025, which was witnessed by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The declaration reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to peaceful settlement of their border disputes, respect for international law and existing treaties and agreements, and the use of bilateral mechanisms including the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

A subsequent Joint Statement signed by the two countries’ General Border Committee on December 27, 2025, specifically called for the JBC to resume survey and demarcation work at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with existing agreements. It also gave priority to affected border areas where civilians had been living.

Hun Manet said Cambodia had asked the United States to help ensure that the border survey process moves forward.

He said Cambodia had exercised patience and had not taken actions intended to increase tensions.

“Since the US helped with the Kuala Lumpur Accord, we ask that it helps ensure that border surveys take place,” Hun Manet said.

Hun Manet urges patience over border mechanisms

The Cambodian prime minister also called on the public to remain patient as both countries work through their land and maritime border mechanisms.

He said disputes of this nature take time to resolve through legal and diplomatic channels, but argued that such mechanisms provide a path toward resolving outstanding disputes without returning to full-scale conflict.

Hun Manet contrasted the diplomatic process with prolonged warfare, citing the Russia-Ukraine conflict as an example of the potential consequences of a major military confrontation.

He reiterated that the December 27 GBC agreement requires the JBC working groups to continue their work.

“If this point had not been included, Cambodia would not have signed the agreement,” he said.

Border survey remains unresolved

The December 27 Joint Statement states that both Cambodia and Thailand agreed to refer border issues to the JBC and resume survey and demarcation work at the earliest opportunity. It also says the process should be conducted under existing bilateral agreements and that joint survey teams should be provided with safety and security, including protection from landmines.

Cambodia has repeatedly called for the JBC process to resume. In September, the Cambodian government said it had continued requesting a special JBC meeting and the deployment of joint survey teams.

Thailand, meanwhile, has said it remains committed to resolving border issues through the JBC, GBC and other agreed mechanisms. Thai authorities have also said that survey and demarcation work requires mutual trust, safety for officials and adherence to established technical procedures.

The two sides’ RBC secretariats also held an informal meeting at the Choam–Sa Ngam border checkpoint on September 29 to discuss implementation of the December 27 agreement and ways to build mutual trust.

The latest comments from Hun Manet indicate that the Cambodian government continues to seek diplomatic and bilateral mechanisms to address the unresolved border issues while calling for the existing ceasefire and agreements to be implemented.