The ruling party coalition under Hun Manet is losing ground and popularity over the unfinished border issue, they are now resorting to legal restrictions.
Editor – Southeast Asia Analyst
On 22nd October, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged the public for patience and trust in the government to resolve the ongoing border conflict with Thailand during his address in the official launch of the National Strategy for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Phnom Penh. He highlighted that territorial and sovereignty were of utmost concern and reassured that the government never let go of its responsibility to defend the country’s borders.
This appeal comes amidst voices from political oppositions, who Hun Manet accused of making allegations in order to make political gains instead of showing “genuine patriotism.” The address comes after former lawmaker self exiled Um Sam An who made allegations that Cambodia had ceded the border from area marker 52 to 59 to Thailand earlier in October. To this Hun Manet invited the US residing politician’s delegation back to Cambodia to show credible documents to back up his claim. Hun Manet also laid out conditions that Um Sam An’s delegation’s tasks must be limited to technical discussions as opposed to political activities.
Um Sam An’s accusation made through facebook. Source : Facebook/ Um Sam An
Um Sam An accepted this offer and promised to send over a delegation in the following month. He urged Cambodian citizens to welcome his delegations. This however did not stop him being vocal over his claims. On facebook, he further accused the Cambodian government of allowing Thailand to “encroach upon Cambodian land at will, completely unchecked. This includes allowing Thailand to lay barbed wire, place shipping containers, and dig canals.”
The spat over “ceded land” seemed to have struck a nerve with the establishment. The Prime Minister’s special envoy, So Naro spoke to a pro-government media Wednesday and claimed that any Cambodian who claims that the country “lost” territory to Thailand is committing treason.
“I would like all of you to completely erase the phrase ‘losing land’ and not allow it to be used, regardless of who it is, because the word is treason. Our land has not been lost at all,” he said. Naro elaborated that Thai troops are illegally occupying Cambodian territory while the Cambodian government is still pursuing legal and diplomatic efforts to regain it.
So Naro (far left) visiting Premiership palace. Source : Facebook/ So Naro
Justice ministry spokesperson did not share in Naro’s claims saying authorities and judicial institutions “do not arrest or charge any individual based on ordinary speech or exercising opinions.” A claim juxtaposed against 30 people, including opposition members, activists and journalists, being arrested between July 2025 and February this year after posting comments on social media about Cambodia’s border clashes with Thailand.
The attempt to limit and control speech marks only a fraction of continued efforts from the government to strangle political and civil liberties. Ahead of the commune elections to choose the head of local governments, the ruling party coalition under Hun Manet is losing ground and popularity over the unfinished border issue, they are now resorting to legal restrictions.
On 14th October, the interior ministry laid out policies prohibiting political parties from setting up headquarters or branch offices near that of other political parties. Meetings among party officials require prior notification to district admins. Sign boards displayed in public will also now be restricted to avoid negatively impacting security, public order, social safety and public aesthetics.
Members of Khmer Will Party convene on early october 2026. Source : Facebook/ Khmer Will Party
Former Khmer Will Party leader, Kong Monika argued that such policies only instills fear and creates challenges.
He added that he had “no opinion” on the requirement to give prior notification since during actual meetings, whether the authorities are notified or not, they will “always come to listen and take pictures”, regardless of it being held at the party office or a private place.
Manh Chien Nguyen is a Mainland Southeast Asia columnist for Southeast Asia Analyst, based in Hanoi.
