Thailand to Attend Francophonie Summit as Observer, Urges Cambodia Not to Raise Border Dispute

Phnom Penh, November 11, 2026: Thailand will send observers to the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh and has urged Cambodia not to raise their border dispute at the event, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.

Sihasak said the summit, running from Nov. 14 to 16, 2026, should focus on Francophonie community matters rather than bilateral tensions, which he argued fall outside its scope. Thailand has been an observer member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie since 2008.


French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders are expected to attend, with Macron also due to make an official visit to Cambodia.

The Thai position comes as its military continues to maintain a presence on Cambodian territory along the border, where observers have documented ongoing construction of trenches and bunkers since the December 2025 ceasefire. Thousands of Cambodians remain unable to return to their homes.

Reported by The Khmer Daily Network