CPP Official Says Erosion of International Law Exposes Cambodia to Security Threats

Vongsey Vissoth, a standing committee member of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and head of the party’s working group for Kampong Thom province

KAMPONG THOM, Feb 7, 2026 — A senior official of Cambodia’s ruling party warned on Saturday that the weakening influence of international institutions and global norms is increasing risks for small and vulnerable states, calling for stronger national unity and resilience.

Vongsey Vissoth, a standing committee member of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and head of the party’s working group for Kampong Thom province, made the remarks during an internal party briefing in Kampong Thom on global and domestic developments, party achievements in 2025 and strategic priorities for 2026.

Vissoth said major global and regional institutions — including the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court, the World Trade Organization, World Bank, and ASEAN — appeared to be losing effectiveness and influence, while the world had yet to establish a stable new international order.

He said powerful countries were increasingly overriding weaker states for their own interests, leaving nations such as Cambodia, which depend heavily on international law, more exposed to security and sovereignty risks.

Vissoth also attributed recent hostilities involving Thailand to internal political divisions and social inequality within Thailand, alleging that Cambodia had been used as a focal point in power struggles between military and civilian institutions. He said the dispute had deeper historical and cultural roots, accusing Thailand of long-standing territorial and cultural ambitions toward Cambodia.

According to Vissoth, Thailand had taken advantage of global instability and the weakening of international law to violate Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He called on Cambodians to treat the situation as a “new normal” and continue strengthening national development across all sectors, urging discipline, unity and vigilance against psychological and political destabilisation.

Vissoth stressed the need for close cooperation among the government, armed forces and the public, under the leadership of former prime minister Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet, to safeguard national sovereignty, identity and long-term development.