The Prime Minister fired back at Hun Manet, stating that Thailand respects every agreement made with Cambodia and clearly has no policy of raising territorial disputes with countries that are not parties to the conflict. Meanwhile, the JIC Director urged Cambodia to adhere to the 27 December joint statement, affirming readiness to present evidence and defend sovereignty and territorial integrity.
At 18:37 on 15 Nov 2026, Anutin Chanvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand, attending the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila, Philippines, posted on his personal Facebook following Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s remarks at the 20th Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) Summit in Phnom Penh, accusing Thailand of invading and occupying Cambodian territory. The post was in English and stated:
In light of the remarks made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh today, and with a similar tone in the intervention verbally addressed by Cambodia’s representative at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting in Manila, I would like to reaffirm Thailand’s position.
Thailand has always respected all agreements with Cambodia and will always adhere to international law.
Our actions have been strictly aimed at protecting our sovereignty, territorial integrity and most importantly, the safety and well-being of the Thai people. Thailand will never raise any bilateral dispute, especially on territorial and humanitarian issues with other countries which are not parties to the conflict.
We remain committed to resolving our differences peacefully through bilateral mechanisms and in accordance with international law. Both Cambodia and Thailand must avoid internationalizing all bilateral issues and should advocate confidence-building measures with each other if one so desires to restore friendship.
As far as Thailand is concerned, we expect Cambodia to faithfully demonstrate the same commitment to peace and stability between the two countries and ultimately for our peoples.
Translated into Thai, the message states that following the remarks by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh today, and similar comments made by Cambodia’s representative at the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting in Manila, Thailand wishes to reaffirm its stance. Thailand has consistently respected all agreements with Cambodia and will adhere to international law. Our actions are strictly aimed at protecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and most importantly, the safety and well-being of the Thai people. Thailand has no policy of raising bilateral disputes, particularly territorial or humanitarian issues, with countries that are not parties to the conflict.
We remain committed to peacefully resolving differences through bilateral mechanisms in line with international law. Both Cambodia and Thailand should avoid bringing bilateral issues to international forums. If either side wishes to restore friendship, they should promote confidence-building measures between each other.
Thailand expects Cambodia to sincerely uphold peace and stability between the two countries for the benefit of the peoples of both nations.
Air Chief Marshal Praphas Sonjaidee, Director of the Thai-Cambodian Information Center (JIC), in an interview regarding Hun Manet’s accusations at the Francophonie Summit that Thailand invaded and occupied Cambodian territory, reaffirmed Thailand’s adherence to the joint statement of 27 December 2025. He called on Cambodia to seriously comply with the agreement instead of making accusations on international stages, which could harm trust and peace efforts between the two countries.
Asked about Hun Manet’s claims that Thailand invaded and occupied Cambodian land, Air Chief Marshal Praphas said he urges all parties to revisit the joint statement of 27 December 2025, which includes key points such as ceasefire, maintaining agreed troop positions, no reinforcements or provocations, use of coordination channels, risk reduction from landmines, and creating a conducive environment for peace.
He emphasized that the priority today is not to compete in accusing each other on international platforms but to prove who genuinely abides by the agreements. Sustainable peace requires building trust, not fostering suspicion among the peoples of both countries.
Asked about Cambodia’s denial of initiating fire while Thailand has different information, Air Chief Marshal Praphas affirmed Thailand’s stance based on collected evidence that Thailand did not initiate attacks. Thai actions are defensive, aimed at protecting people. Thailand is ready to submit verifiable evidence including timelines, coordinates, photos, damage reports, and supporting data for proper review.
"If there are claims that Thailand invaded or occupied any area, please provide verifiable evidence as well. Repeated allegations do not make accusations true. Contradictory claims must be corrected. We do not want the international community to judge based on one side’s statements but to consider all facts comprehensively."
Asked whether raising border issues internationally affects trust between Thailand and Cambodia, Air Chief Marshal Praphas said every country has the right to present its position internationally, but that right comes with responsibility for factual accuracy. Continuous accusations without joint evidence review may undermine confidence built since the ceasefire.
He expressed hope that existing mechanisms—military coordination, bilateral frameworks within their mandates, and the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT)—are utilized effectively. Trust is built not by declarations on the world stage but by honoring commitments and practical actions on the border.
Asked about the ongoing significance of the joint statement of 27 December 2025 for the border situation,Air Chief Marshal Praphas said,the joint statement is a crucial framework to prevent a return to violence. Both sides must maintain the ceasefire, avoid increasing tensions, refrain from actions violating agreed military limits and drone usage, and use coordination channels to quickly resolve incidents.
Additionally, protecting civilians, humanitarian landmine clearance, observer activities, and responsible communication—especially Clause 16 on information dissemination—are vital. Misleading or hateful communication does not strengthen peace. Therefore, adherence to the agreement must be measured by actions, not words.
Asked how Thailand would respond to violations of agreements or threats to its sovereignty, Air Chief Marshal Praphas said Thailand desires peace but peace does not mean abandoning the duty to defend the country. The Thai military is responsible for safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and public safety, employing appropriate measures in line with the situation and relevant laws.
Thailand is prepared to act on all fronts: diplomacy, international law, factual communication, border security, and defense as legally justified. If threats require force, responses will follow necessity, proportionality, and international humanitarian law. Thailand will not initiate conflict but will not neglect its duty to protect sovereignty and its people’s lives.
When asked what message he wants to send to Cambodian leaders and the international community, Air Chief Marshal Praphas called on all parties to strictly adhere to the 27 December 2025 joint statement, cease unfounded accusations, allow joint fact-finding, and use agreed mechanisms to build trust.
Thailand is ready to live peacefully with Cambodia as neighboring countries, but good relations must be based on truth, sincerity, and mutual respect. The global stage should not be a platform for competing accusations but a tool to foster peace using existing agreements.
Thailand is ready to negotiate, present facts, and defend its sovereignty legally in all dimensions. We do not want war but will not allow baseless allegations to undermine Thailand’s rights, security, and dignity.
"Promises must build trust, be proven by evidence, and sovereignty protected legitimately," Air Chief Marshal Praphas concluded.