AKP Phnom Penh, January 07, 2026 --

The President of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, today underscored Cambodia’s clear and principled stance on border issues with Thailand in his message marking the 47th anniversary of the January 7 Victory Day over the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime.

Unlike previous years, no mass gathering was held to commemorate the historic occasion. In his message, Samdech Techo Hun Sen referred to what he described as wars of brutal aggression initiated by Thailand against Cambodia’s territorial integrity along the border, under the pretext of protecting Thailand’s security and sovereignty.

He stated that during these acts of aggression, the Thai military opened fire and launched relentless assaults on Cambodian troops positioned within Cambodian sovereign territory and on civilian targets indiscriminately using all sizes and all kinds of modern weaponry by land, sea, and air, causing catastrophic disaster for civilians living peacefully in those areas.

Such actions, he stressed, constitute grave violations of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the United Nations Charter and the ASEAN Charter, and disrespect for the spirit of the ASEAN Community. Furthermore, such acts are also grave violations of international humanitarian law and international obligations to protect civilians, national cultural property, and World Heritage sites.

In response to this aggression, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said the Cambodian Armed Forces have firmly exercised their right to self-defence. In this very serious situation, the Royal Government of Cambodia has maintained a position of restraint, goodwill, and sincerity, striving to resolve the border issues with Thailand peacefully through all mechanisms and in accordance with international law, especially having strictly implemented the ceasefire agreed on July 28, 2025, and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration of Oct. 26, 2025.

However, he noted that the Thai side expanded its attacks, failing to implement the ceasefire and the Joint Declaration, which made the situation even more grave and destructive for the peoples of both nations.

In this situation, he added, the international community – which highly values peace, humanity, the rule of law, and prosperity – has actively encouraged efforts to resolve the dispute and border demarcation between the two countries through peaceful means in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the existing treaties and agreements between Cambodia and Thailand as well as encouraged the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration.

Following patient negotiation efforts, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to implement an immediate on-site ceasefire (by freezing the front lines where they were now), effective from 12:00 noon on  Dec. 27, 2025 to confirms a joint commitment to return to dialogue through and based on the past agreements and existing bilateral mechanisms, aiming to end all forms of hostilities and establish a true and sustainable peace together with a firm commitment to rebuilding trust and confidence and restoring normalcy and lasting peace along the border.

“Cambodia reaffirms its steadfast commitment to its primary goals of ending the suffering of the people, preventing destruction, and continuing on the path toward a just and sustainable peace and solution. Meanwhile, Cambodia will not make any concession on its sovereignty or dignity,” he underlined.

In this spirit, he said, Cambodia will strictly and fully implement the ceasefire of Dec. 27, 2025 and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration of Oct. 26, 2025 to restore peace for both nations as well as peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also expressed his deepest gratitude to all friendly countries and the international community, particularly the United States, the People's Republic of China, and ASEAN member states under the coordination of Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair, for their active assistance and participation in seeking this peaceful solution since the ceasefire of July 28, 2025.

He further encouraged all compatriot to continue promoting the spirit of patriotism, self-reliance, and self-effort and strengthening ownership to ensure the protection and building of the nation.

“I firmly believe that based on the strength of our great solidarity and resolute patriotic spirit, we will continue to overcome any obstacle, no matter how great,” he said. “We remember this history, remember the crimes against our cultural heritage – the soul of our nation – and remember the insults leveled by the aggressors to our nation, motherland and people.”

Samdech Techo also appealed to all Cambodians, wherever they may be, to remain united under the motto Nation, Religion, King, and to stand firmly with the Royal Government in defending national sovereignty and peace through unity and solidarity.

By Heng Panha