Cambodia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Keo Rottanak, has confirmed that the country is not currently importing electricity from Thailand, underscoring the strength of Cambodia’s domestic power supply. The announcement comes as diplomatic tensions simmer over unresolved border disputes between the two neighbours.

 

Speaking on Wednesday, Rottanak sought to dispel speculation following a warning from Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that it may halt electricity exports to Cambodia if ongoing issues are not resolved in Thailand’s favour.

 

Rottanak stressed that Cambodia’s current energy independence should not be misinterpreted as a rejection of bilateral cooperation. Rather, he urged both countries to preserve and expand energy ties, describing cross-border electricity sharing as a model for regional cooperation.

 

“Cambodia’s energy security is stable and self-reliant,” he said, “but we remain fully committed to constructive partnerships, especially with Thailand, which have mutual benefits.”

 

His comments also follow discussions at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, where ministers explored the idea of an integrated regional power grid. Rottanak cited successful cross-border energy models in places like the US and Canada as examples ASEAN nations could follow.

 

The minister reaffirmed Cambodia’s support for ASEAN’s connectivity ambitions and called for energy collaboration to be used as a tool for unity rather than division.

 

While Cambodia currently stands on firm ground energy-wise, the message is clear: cooperation, not confrontation, is the preferred path forward.

 

-2025-06-12

On 6/12/2025 at 9:03 AM, geovalin said:

it may halt electricity exports to Cambodia if ongoing issues are not resolved in Thailand’s favour

That's NOT how bilateral negotiations work.

But seems Thai government uses the 'Give and Take' negotiations: 'you give and I take.'

Well, it seems that things have changed. 

In the past, Cambodia got power from Laos which was delivered through the Thai power grid. The same applied to the South of Laos which was supplied also through the Thai power grid. This optimization of Thai infrastructure compensated for the non- and later poor abilities of Laos to supply their South and/or export power to the Cambodian Northeast.