Latest news with #RoyalGovernmentofCambodia
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Opinion - Sovereignty under threat: Thai Army's repeated provocations at Cambodia's border must end
Cambodian soldiers expelled Thai troops from Cambodian territory on the morning of July 4, in the area of Phnom Khmoch 'Ghost Mountain'. It appeared that the aggressive posturing of the Thai soldiers was intended to provoke a violent reaction. - Photo: Facebook PHNOM PENH: On Friday (July 4) morning, at the Ghost Mountain frontline, black-clad Thai soldiers once again carried out provocative manoeuvres against the Cambodian forces stationed along the border. This was not an isolated incident. It is part of a long-standing pattern of aggression and encroachment that flagrantly violates Cambodia's sovereignty and breaches the principles of international law. According to assessments by the Cambodian military, Thai troops deliberately advanced toward Cambodian territory, patrolling along previously disputed routes. Their actions were clearly intended to incite frustration and provoke a reaction — hoping that the brave and disciplined Cambodian soldiers might respond emotionally and ignite a wider confrontation. Fortunately, Cambodia's defenders exercised restraint and professionalism, refusing to fall into the trap. This behaviour by the Thai military is neither new nor accidental. Time and again, Thai forces have crossed into Cambodian land without permission, reinforced their presence near historic Khmer temples, and displayed hostile posturing that escalates tensions instead of promoting peace. These actions go far beyond routine security — they reflect a dangerous strategy to challenge Cambodia's territorial integrity and distort historical truth for political gain. The Royal Government of Cambodia and its armed forces have made their position clear: Every inch of Cambodian territory will be protected. Cambodia does not seek conflict, but it will not stand idle in the face of repeated violations. Our commitment to diplomacy, dialogue and respect for international norms remains strong. But no sovereign state should be expected to endure endless provocations on its own soil. The actions of the Thai military are in direct violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the Asean Charter — both of which prohibit the use or threat of force against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of any member state. Such provocations not only endanger peace — they also erode regional trust and cooperation. Cambodia now calls upon the international community, Asean member states and all peace-loving nations to pay close attention. The continuous provocations by Thai forces are a threat to regional stability, a blatant disregard for legal norms and an affront to Cambodia's sovereign rights. Silence in the face of these actions would be complicity. Let this be clear to all: Cambodia does not wish for conflict, but we will never permit our borders to be violated or redrawn through force. We stand united — defending our land, our heritage and the pride of the Khmer nation. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN [Roth Santepheap is a Phnom Penh-based geopolitical analyst. The views and opinions expressed are his own.]
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Opinion - Borders etched in ink: The 2000 MoU and Cambodia's irrefutable sovereignty
The 2000 MoU clearly identifies the agreed upon maps. - Photo: Supplied PHNOM PENH: On June 14, 2000, the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Royal Government of Thailand took a significant step toward peace and cooperation by signing the Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation Work of Land Boundary. Far from a vague political gesture, the agreement is an official treaty instrument drafted in three languages, — Khmer, Thai and English — and formally deposited with the Secretariat-General of the UN, making it not only bilaterally binding but internationally recognised. A treaty built on history The 2000 MoU does not exist in a vacuum. It clearly states that the ongoing survey and demarcation of the Cambodia–Thailand border must be conducted based on existing legal documents and maps—specifically those derived from the Franco–Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907 and the associated Annex I map series produced by the Franco–Siamese Mixed Commission. These maps, endorsed and used for over a century by both states, leave little room for ambiguity: the temples of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch and Ta Krabei are located well within Cambodian territory. Legal clarity, not political convenience The legal strength of the 2000 MoU lies in its clarity. Article 1 of the MoU explicitly confirms the mutual recognition of the existing legal framework as the baseline for border work. Article 2 further establishes a joint commission responsible for border surveys and demarcation, emphasising cooperation and respect for previously agreed references. Nowhere does it suggest that any unilateral reinterpretation or political manoeuvring can override this legal foundation. This is crucial when considering recent provocative claims from certain Thai political figures asserting sovereignty over border temples. Such claims not only ignore historical treaties and cartographic facts but also violate the very MoU their own government co-signed. The UN Treaty Series: Global witness to bilateral commitments What makes the 2000 MoU even more binding is its registration with the U. According to Article 102 of the UN Charter, treaties registered and published with the UN carry increased international legitimacy and are subject to the scrutiny of international law. This means Thailand cannot feign ignorance or claim that the MoU is outdated — it remains an active, enforceable instrument under international treaty law. A commitment worth upholding For Cambodia, the 2000 MoU represents more than just a legal document — it is a pledge to peace, to historical truth and to international order. It acknowledges centuries-old facts, aligns with universally recognised maps, and provides a framework for settling disputes through dialogue and law — not through military provocations or cultural appropriation. Cambodia has consistently honoured this agreement. We have cooperated through the Joint Boundary Commission, respected legal channels and advocated for peaceful resolution. We expect the same in return. In the face of misinformation and political posturing, the 2000 MoU stands as a reminder that sovereignty is not up for debate when it has already been settled by law. It is time for all parties to return to the spirit of mutual respect, legality, and cooperation that defined the 2000 agreement. Cambodia's territorial integrity is not based on sentiment — it is built on centuries of documented history and codified international treaties. The line has already been drawn — and it is drawn in ink, not in sand.' - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN [Roth Santepheap is a Phnom Penh-based geopolitical analyst. The views and opinions expressed are his own.]
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Opinion - No stone for stealing: Cambodia rightfully rejects Thailand's fabricated claim over Ta Moan Temple
A Cambodian soldier stands guard at Ta Moan Temple complex, in Preah Vihear province. - Photo: supplied PHNOM PENH: Culture is not a weapon, and history is not a game. Yet once again, the Thai government — through the voice of its suspended prime minister and current Minister of Culture, Paetongtarn Shinawatra — has attempted to distort both. Her Friday (July 4) claim that the Ta Moan Temple complex falls under Thai sovereignty is not only historically inaccurate, it is legally baseless and diplomatically reckless. Cambodia categorically rejects this provocation. In a firm and dignified statement, Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts reminded the world of what should already be well known: the Ta Moan complex lies entirely within Cambodian territory, as clearly defined by the Franco-Siamese Convention of 1904 and the Treaty of 1907. These binding legal documents — recognised and respected by the international community — established the border long before today's political opportunists tried to redraw it with arrogance and unilateralism. The 1:200,000-scale map that both nations agreed to follow under a 2000 memorandum of understanding is not a matter of opinion — it is a legal commitment. For Thailand to now ignore that agreement and present a domestic registration from 1962 as grounds for sovereignty over a Khmer temple is absurd. International law does not bend to bureaucratic daydreams. Let us be clear: registering a temple within your national archives does not change its location. Cultural artifacts and sacred sites do not teleport across borders with the stroke of a minister's pen. The Ta Moan complex — like Ta Moan Tauch and Ta Krabei — is not Thai. It is Khmer in architecture, Khmer in spirit and Khmer in rightful ownership. Cambodia has not remained idle. On June 16, the Royal Government of Cambodia submitted a formal request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to adjudicate the dispute, reaffirming our confidence in law over force, and diplomacy over distortion. While Cambodia seeks resolution through legal channels, Thailand continues to provoke through press statements, propaganda, and at times, military presence. It is profoundly disappointing that the Thai Ministry of Culture — an institution that should promote understanding and mutual respect — has instead chosen to inflame tensions and insult the dignity of heritage stewardship. The Cambodian people have always protected our temples — not as trophies, but as symbols of a civilisation that flourished long before Thailand even existed in its modern form. We do not seek confrontation. We seek respect for borders, law and truth. The world is watching. And history is not on Thailand's side. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN [Roth Santepheap is a Phnom Penh-based geopolitical analyst. The views and opinions expressed are his own.]
The Star
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Cambodian PM reiterates ban on investment in e-cigarette production
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Tuesday (May 13) that no investment in e-cigarette production would be licensed in the South-East Asian country. He made the remarks during a meeting with Barros Figueira Miguel, president of the Association of Tobacco Industry in Cambodia, at the Peace Palace in the capital Phnom Penh, said a news release from the prime minister's spokesperson unit. "Samdech Thipadei reiterated that the Royal Government of Cambodia will not allow any investment in the production of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in Cambodia," the news release said. Samdech Thipadei is the honorific title of Hun Manet. The prime minister said the government has currently paid attention to preventing the imports of illegal tobacco products and cigarettes, while raising awareness among people about the effects of tobacco products and cigarettes on people's health. Cambodia has prohibited the import, trade, and use of e-cigarettes and shisha since 2014, but there were still reported cases of illegal import and sale of these products. The Ministry of Health has warned several times of health hazards from smoking e-cigarettes, saying that they contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance, that could cause serious effects on users' health. An e-cigarette or vape is a battery-operated device that heats up a special liquid into an aerosol that users inhale, the ministry said, adding that e-cigarette smokers could face a high risk of lung disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and damage to brain development. - Xinhua
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Cambodia gives high priority to people's health, HIV AIDS prevention control: PM Hun
Phnom Penh: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Tuesday that the government gave high priority to people's health and HIV/AIDS prevention and control. He made the remarks during a meeting with Winnie Byanyima, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), at the Peace Palace in the capital Phnom Penh, said a news release from the prime minister's spokesperson unit. "Samdech Thipadei highlighted the attention of the Royal Government of Cambodia in the fight against HIV/AIDS through the launches of many policies and strategic action plans," the news release said. Samdech Thipadei is the honorific title of Hun Manet. "He said the Royal Government of Cambodia has given high priority to strengthening the health sector, especially improving people's well-being," the news release added. "When we talk about building human capital, we must pay attention to our people's health," the prime minister said. Hun Manet thanked the UN for its contribution to Cambodia's socio-economic development and highly appreciated UNAIDS for its active participation in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Southeast Asian country. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, Xinhua news agency reported. For her part, Byanyima commended Cambodia's remarkable progress in all sectors and outstanding achievements in responding to HIV/AIDS. "Cambodia's successful response to HIV/AIDS has not only reduced the rate of new HIV infections, but has also contributed to regional and global efforts in combating HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases," she said. She reaffirmed UNAIDS' continued support to Cambodia to achieve the 95-95-95 HIV treatment targets. The targets mean 95 per cent of the people who are living with HIV know their HIV status, 95 per cent of the people who know that they are living with HIV are on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, and 95 per cent of people under treatment are virally suppressed. According to the news release, the kingdom has so far achieved a response rate of 92-100-98. The National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (NCHADS) said Cambodia has roughly 76,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, of which 69,413 have received antiretroviral drugs. Some 7,000 people were still unaware that they were infected with HIV, and had not yet received antiretroviral drugs, the NCHADS said.
