Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet has made strong accusations against Thailand, claiming that despite a ceasefire agreement that was brokered by former US President Donald Trump last year, Thai forces continue to occupy Cambodian land. In his first interview with international media, Manet emphasized the necessity for Thailand to engage the joint border commission to address the disputed areas along the Cambodian-Thai border. He pointed out that Thai military forces were still present in various regions deep within Cambodian territory, raising concerns regarding legal and diplomatic processes required to resolve such issues.

Manet criticized Thailand for delaying the commencement of border demarcation efforts, attributing the hold-up to elections that were held on February 8. Now that the elections are behind them, he expressed hope that Thailand would initiate technical discussions regarding border delineation. This situation is critical as both nations have experienced tensions due to territorial disputes, and there is a pressing need to establish formal agreements to prevent conflicts from escalating further.

The Prime Minister's remarks come as he plans to meet in Washington for a scheduled peace council meeting expected to address regional stability. Despite the ceasefire reached in December, Manet cautioned about the precariousness of the situation along the border, signaling potential risks of renewed hostilities if disputes are not adequately managed. The peace council aims not only to manage current conflicts but also to create frameworks that mitigate similar disputes in the future, particularly in light of historical tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.