Thailand may close the border and build a fence along the border for as long as it wishes, provided that no construction takes place within Cambodian territory, said Acting Head of State Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.
Speaking during a visit to displaced families in Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province, on Tuesday morning, Samdech Techo Hun Sen stated that the decision to close or reopen the border belongs to Thailand.
“If Thailand wants to close it for 100 years or even 500 years, that is up to them […] the main thing is not to violate Cambodia’s territory,” he said.
At the same time, Samdech Techo Hun Sen criticised those involved in smuggling Thai goods illegally across the border into Cambodia, warning that if apprehended, they could face asset confiscation, with proceeds potentially redirected toward infrastructure development along the border.
He noted that Cambodia imports more than US$10 billion worth of Thai goods annually and remarked that Thai products could remain for domestic use in Thailand.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also encouraged strengthening domestic production and supply capacity, adding that if shortages arise, Cambodia could seek imports from other regional partners such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore.
“Our land is ours, and we must reclaim it […] but through peaceful mechanisms and international law for the benefit of both countries. We cannot remain enemies with our neighbours forever,” he stressed.
He added that international opinion is increasingly sympathetic toward Cambodia and warned that using military action to reclaim disputed land would undermine Cambodia’s political and diplomatic position.
“If we resort to armed action to take back land, our political and diplomatic efforts will fail,” he said.
