National
• 1 hour ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
PM Hun Manet Says Kingdom Chooses Law Over War to Defend Its Land
PHNOM PENH — Oct. 8, 2026: Prime Minister Hun Manet has said Cambodia will not surrender its land, pledging to press its territorial claims through diplomacy and international law rather than war.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 2,001 students of the University of Management and Economics in Battambang province on Oct. 8, 2026, PM Hun Manet said Cambodia had never signed away its territory and retains the right to use all means to recover land the Kingdom legally owns. Future border demarcation with Thailand, PM Hun Manet said, must involve the AOT of both countries.
PM Hun Manet clarified that Cambodia is not claiming Surin and Buriram provinces, saying the key issue is proper respect for the Franco-Siamese Treaties of 1904 and 1907.
Photo:: Ministry of National Defence-ក្រសួងការពារជាតិ
Reflecting on the invasion and the 21 days Battambang lost its peace, PM Hun Manet said the experience underscored the value of peace. PM Hun Manet said that while "a small country can hit back and Cambodians are not cowards," a leader must not send citizens to die when other options exist. Choosing war, PM Hun Manet warned, would mean endless conflict and potentially more than one million displaced.
PM Hun Manet expressed hope the invasion and floods would end this year, and that 2027 would bring relief — including the departure of F-16 aircraft — allowing Cambodia to strengthen its national capacity.
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 2,001 students of the University of Management and Economics in Battambang province on Oct. 8, 2026, PM Hun Manet said Cambodia had never signed away its territory and retains the right to use all means to recover land the Kingdom legally owns. Future border demarcation with Thailand, PM Hun Manet said, must involve the AOT of both countries.
PM Hun Manet clarified that Cambodia is not claiming Surin and Buriram provinces, saying the key issue is proper respect for the Franco-Siamese Treaties of 1904 and 1907.
Photo:: Ministry of National Defence-ក្រសួងការពារជាតិReflecting on the invasion and the 21 days Battambang lost its peace, PM Hun Manet said the experience underscored the value of peace. PM Hun Manet said that while "a small country can hit back and Cambodians are not cowards," a leader must not send citizens to die when other options exist. Choosing war, PM Hun Manet warned, would mean endless conflict and potentially more than one million displaced.
PM Hun Manet expressed hope the invasion and floods would end this year, and that 2027 would bring relief — including the departure of F-16 aircraft — allowing Cambodia to strengthen its national capacity.
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
