Phnom penh: The Spokesperson for the Senate of Cambodia, H.E. Chea Thyrith, has rejected the statement made by Mr. Surasan Kongsiri, Spokesperson of the Thai Ministry of National Defence, claiming that ‘Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen had pressured Thailand to reopen the Thai-Cambodian border by Oct. 20.’
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Chea Thyrith underlined that Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen had repeatedly clarified his stance, including in a post on his official Facebook page on Sept. 23, 2025. The post stated that since the Thai military unilaterally closed the border, Cambodia has never asked the Thai side to reopen it. He noted that Cambodia has simply informed Thailand that they should reopen the border, as they were the ones who closed it.
The spokesperson emphasized that there is no need for negotiation with Cambodia, and once Thailand reopens its side, Cambodia will follow five hours later. This, he stated, is Cambodia’s firm position and it will not change. Quoting Samdech Techo Hun Sen, he asserted that Cambodia will not lower itself to beg Thailand to reopen the border. Even if Thailand decides to keep it closed for another 100 years, Cambodia will not perish.