Cambodia Warns Thailand Over Temple Dispute, Threatens Force

Khmer Times

Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, has issued a stark warning to Thailand, vowing military retaliation if Thai forces encroach on disputed territory at the Ta Moan Thom temple. His comments come after a confrontation between Cambodian and Thai soldiers at the ancient site on their shared border.

Speaking at a business conference on Monday, Hun Manet stated that Cambodia prioritises peaceful negotiations but will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty. "We will be ready at all times if there is the use of armed force to invade Cambodian territory," he said.

The tensions stem from an incomplete boundary demarcation near Ta Moan Thom, located between Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province and Thailand’s Surin province. Thai troops stationed near the temple confronted Cambodian soldiers who visited last month, prompting Thailand’s military to file a formal protest.

This dispute echoes the long-standing conflict over Preah Vihear temple, another ancient site where deadly clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces erupted between 2008 and 2011. Though the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in Cambodia’s favour, disagreements over surrounding land persisted.

Hun Manet cited Cambodia’s experience in defending its territory at the ICJ, warning that the country is prepared to take both legal and military action if necessary.

Meanwhile, Senate President Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former prime minister, made headlines with his own remarks, threatening legal action against anyone comparing him to ex-Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte, who was recently arrested to face trial at the International Criminal Court.

With tensions simmering, both Cambodia and Thailand face mounting pressure to defuse the situation before history repeats itself, according to RFA Khmer and Benar News.

18-03-2025