Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate and President of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), has proposed six measures for Cambodia to implement if Thailand continues to refuse the reopening of border checkpoints, which were unilaterally closed by the Thai side.
“I issued a message last night, and this morning I am addressing the Royal Government once again in my capacity as leader of the ruling party,” wrote Samdech Techo Hun Sen on his official social media platform.
According to the CPP President, if Thailand does not reopen the border checkpoints, Cambodia must take the following measures:
1. Announce the suspension of imports of Thai goods into the Cambodian market, which means halting the use of Thai products and replacing them with domestic goods or products from countries other than Thailand.
2. Prepare to purchase goods—mostly agricultural products—that Cambodian citizens used to export to Thailand, by actively seeking markets for them both domestically and internationally.
3. Redirect patients who previously sought medical treatment in Thailand to domestic hospitals or medical institutions in other countries.
4. Prepare to receive and manage employment opportunities for workers who will return from Thailand. Cambodia is currently facing a shortage of labour across tens of thousands of positions in the industrial, agricultural, and construction sectors. Cambodian workers may choose to return voluntarily before being deported by Thailand, where they are currently experiencing severe discrimination and contempt in certain areas.
5. All armed forces must remain on full alert 24 hours a day, ready to respond and defend in the event of aggression.
6. The provinces near the border must be prepared to evacuate residents to safer areas and ensure the supply of food, medicine, and other essential materials.
“If Thailand does not resolve the reopening of border checkpoints and return to normalcy, we will have no choice but to implement all these measures,” he underlined.
However, Samdech Techo Hun Sen also made a strong appeal to the public not to engage in extremist actions such as protesting against the Thai embassy, Thai businesses, or Thai nationals in Cambodia. He called on Cambodians not to harbour racial hatred toward the Thai people, most of whom, he said, are decent individuals.
“Only extremist groups and some military factions are behind these issues with Cambodia, because as usual, the Thai government is unable to control its military the way our country can,” he said.
