Hun Manet says Cambodia rejects third-party mediation in Thai dispute

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has revealed that some countries have offered to mediate, proposing a bilateral resolution to the intensifying border dispute with Thailand.

Without naming the countries, Hun Manet said several have expressed a willingness to act as mediators, with their offers primarily based on Thailand’s proposal for bilateral negotiations.

“Cambodia has stated that, at this time, we are not relying on any third party, except in four specific areas. Aside from those, we continue to address border, economic and military issues bilaterally,” Freshnews quoted Hun Manet as saying.

He emphasised that Cambodia remains open to bilateral negotiations, but on certain conditions, and should violence erupt, Cambodia would escalate the matter to the United Nations Security Council.

For now, however, bilateral measures are being used to address the border disputes, except for the four areas that have been submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as their deadlines have already passed.

Hun Manet also defended his government’s decision to suspend fuel and gas imports from Thailand, stating that the move was based on careful calculations and the national interest.

According to the Phnom Penh Post, Hun Manet said this is not Cambodia’s final measure, if the Thai side continues to “play games.”

“Cambodia suspending imports from Thailand is not an act of panic. Every measure we take is well-considered and deliberate,” he stated.

He added that suppliers in Cambodia are capable of sourcing enough fuel and gas from alternative countries to meet domestic demand.

Lor Vichet, vice-president of the Cambodia-China Commerce Association, told The Post today that, as of June 22nd, Cambodia is importing fuel and gas from several countries, including Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.

He noted that the suspension of imports from Thailand would not pose a problem, as many other countries are ready to supply Cambodia.