Hun Sen: Trusting Thailand Too Much Was a Strategic Mistake

Hun Sen: Trusting Thailand Too Much Was a Strategic Mistake

BANTEAY MEANCHEY, June 9, 2026 — Senate President Hun Sen acknowledged that Cambodia had not sufficiently strengthened its military arsenal in past years, saying the government placed greater emphasis on national development because it trusted that relations with Thailand would remain stable.

Speaking during a meeting with residents at the Veterans and War-Affected Community Centre in Slakram Commune, Banteay Meanchey Province, on June 9, Hun Sen said Cambodia had directed significant state resources toward development projects rather than military expansion.

According to Hun Sen, government funds were used to build roads, schools, hospitals and other public infrastructure aimed at improving living standards and supporting long-term economic growth.

He noted that the decision reflected confidence in maintaining peaceful relations with neighboring countries, particularly Thailand, and a belief that development priorities would bring greater benefits to the Cambodian people.

However, Hun Sen acknowledged that Cambodia had not invested as heavily in military equipment and weapons systems as it could have, describing it as a consequence of placing greater trust in regional stability and peaceful cooperation.

The remarks come amid ongoing public discussion surrounding Cambodia’s border and maritime disputes with Thailand, which the Cambodian government has repeatedly said it seeks to resolve through peaceful means and international legal mechanisms.

Despite recognizing shortcomings in military preparedness, Hun Sen reiterated the importance of balancing national defence with socio-economic development, emphasizing that investments in infrastructure, education and healthcare have played a key role in Cambodia’s progress over the past decades.