Sihasak Ask Cambodia Not to Raise Border Conflict at Francophonie Summit
Sihasak Ask Cambodia Not to Raise Border Conflict at Francophonie Summit
BANGKOK, November 11, 2026 – Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has urged Cambodia not to raise its border dispute with Thailand at the upcoming 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, saying the bilateral conflict falls outside the scope of the international gathering.
Speaking at Government House on Tuesday, November 10, Sihasak said Thailand would participate in the summit as an observer under the framework of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
He stressed that the summit was intended to address issues concerning the Francophonie community and should not become a platform for discussing bilateral tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.
Sihasak specifically called on Cambodia to refrain from bringing the dispute into the summit’s discussions, arguing that the issue was unrelated to the organisation’s objectives.
Thailand has held observer status in the OIF since 2008, despite French not being one of its principal foreign languages. Its participation will allow Thai representatives to attend the gathering without being a full member of the organisation.
Macron and world leaders expected in Phnom Penh
Cambodia will host the 20th Francophonie Summit from November 14 to 16, with French President Emmanuel Macron and other international leaders expected to attend.
According to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, 79 of the 90 expected delegations had confirmed participation as of November 10. The confirmed participants include 20 heads of state and government, with more than 1,000 delegates expected.
The summit will be held under the theme “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Stability”, bringing together French-speaking countries and governments to discuss international cooperation, peace, development and shared priorities.
Sihasak’s remarks come as Cambodia and Thailand continue to face tensions over their border dispute. His position signals Bangkok’s preference to keep the issue separate from the Francophonie gathering and within the existing bilateral channels for addressing disagreements.
Thailand’s participation as an observer means it will be represented at the summit, even as its foreign minister has cautioned against using the international platform to discuss the dispute with its neighbour.
