Som Dech Hun Sen: Thailand wrong to drag trade and transit into Border Dispute

Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen has criticized Thailand for escalating the border dispute from the Emerald Triangle area into unrelated sectors, including trade.Mr Hun recalled a similar episode in 2008 during the Mekong-Japan Summit in Tokyo, when then-Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva threatened to close the Cambodian-Thai border.

In response, Samdech Techo Hun Sen announced a halt to the use of Thai products.

Following that declaration, Thailand backed down and did not proceed with the closure.

Samdech Techo said on Monday (Jun. 16) in a special message “I’ve said from the beginning: do not let conflict spill from one area or sector into another. Yet the Thai side misinterprets this as a sign of weakness.”

“Expanding the dispute into areas like trade and the movement of people is entirely wrong.”

Samdech Techo affirmed that Cambodia will respond with firm measures, including replacing Thai goods with local products and imports from other countries.

“This message has been delivered before, but we reiterate it now,” he said.

The Royal Government, he added, is fully prepared to act—including reducing all forms of dependence on Thailand. Fresh News