As Prime Minister Hun Manet has suggested that rather former opposition lawmaker Um Sam An may prefer to appoint representatives to attend a planned meeting to discuss the current border, rather than attend in person.
The latest offer follows a series of exchanges between the prime minister and Sam An, over the latter’s allegations that the government has allowed Cambodia to lose territory along the disputed border area.
Manet has repeatedly invited the former politician to visit the Kingdom to discuss the boundary between border markers 52 and 59, with the exiled Sam An attempting to widen the talks and even negotiate for previous legal charges to be dropped.
Political analysts have called the ongoing border dispute too large an issue to be used for political points scoring, instead calling on for constructive dialogue based on documentary evidence and national interests.
Manet noted via social media that during the past week, while he was on official visits to Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Kazakhstan and attending the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Sam An had continued issuing statements concerning the invitation to discuss the border issue.
The prime minister criticised Sam An for failing to present clear evidence supporting his accusations against the government, while imposing various conditions relating to personal safety and a pardon before agreeing to participate in discussions.
Nevertheless, he stressed that the government remained willing to facilitate discussions and verify evidence to address public concerns over the border area.
He explained that if Sam An was unwilling to travel to Cambodia, he could appoint representatives from overseas or select individuals already residing in Cambodia to meet with the government’s border team.
However, the appointment of representatives would be subject to four conditions.
First, Sam An must grant his representatives full authority to hold the discussions. Second, he must provide them with all relevant documents, evidence and witnesses concerning his claims about the border area between markers 52 and 59.
Third, he must acknowledge all statements and arguments presented by his representatives during the discussions. Finally, he must accept the outcome of the verification process conducted by his appointed representatives.
Manet reiterated that his previous assurances of personal safety for Um Sam An and his team remained unchanged and would also extend to any appointed representatives.
“I am giving you until the end of October to make a decision, organise a working team or appoint representatives, and prepare the documents for discussions and verification in early November, as you requested,” he said.
The prime minister emphasised that allegations accusing the government and its border officials of ceding Cambodian territory to Thailand were serious and required credible supporting evidence.
He also called on Cambodians of all political affiliations to allow the government to continue addressing border issues with Thailand, noting that the situation remained complicated and unresolved.
Sam An had previously proposed holding public discussions with a government working group in Phnom Penh between November 1 and 7, but requested security guarantees, the dropping of charges and a pardon before attending.
Political analyst Meas Nee noted in a recent social media post that direct discussions among Cambodian politicians were particularly important at this time to reduce divisions and could provide an opportunity to rebuild mutual trust.
He warned that exploiting border disputes for political advantage could deepen domestic divisions and create vulnerabilities that neighbouring countries might exploit.
“Simply using the border issue for political gain at this time is a repetition of history. It is a weakness that could make it easier for our neighbours to further divide Cambodia,” he said.
Nee also suggested that if Cambodian politicians were genuinely committed to discussing border issues or resolving national problems, holding a meeting in a third country could provide a practical alternative to overcome mistrust.
“If politicians genuinely intend to meet and discuss border issues or resolve national matters, a meeting in a third country would be a good option,” he said.
The analyst added that continuing to insist on individual positions without achieving meaningful dialogue would only complicate matters further.
He also warned against psychological warfare and the tendency of politicians to fire accusations and attempt to discredit one another, arguing that such divisions could benefit outside interests.
Separately, political analyst Yang Peou told The Post that sovereignty and territorial integrity were matters of concern for all citizens, and that expressing interest in border issues was a legitimate reflection of national consciousness.
However, he warned that political participation should be assessed according to whether it genuinely benefited the country or risked deepening internal divisions.
“On matters of sovereignty, territory and borders, every citizen, not just politicians, has the right to be concerned, to seek information, to participate and to help,” he said.
Peou argued that at a time when Cambodia was facing a border conflict with Thailand, all politicians should share a common position on defending national sovereignty and interests, regardless of differences in political ideology or policy.
He also noted that Thai forces have damaged Cambodian temples, infrastructure and civilian homes, adding noting that more than 20,000 Cambodian civilians remain unable to return to their residences because of the ongoing occupation of sovereign Cambodian land.
Against this backdrop, he warned that continuing to exchange accusations without verified, documented evidence could provide opportunities for external parties to exploit political disagreements within Cambodia.
He likened such actions to handing the handle of a sword to an enemy, urging politicians to reconsider the potential consequences of confronting one another over national sovereignty.
“Politicians may oppose one another over political views or policies, but they cannot oppose the national interest,” Peou said.
Cambodia and Thailand are continuing their efforts to address their border disputes through existing mechanisms, while disagreements among Cambodian political figures over border demarcation and territorial integrity persist.
Manet’s latest proposal has opened the possibility of discussions, without requiring Sam An’s personal attendance. Whether the proposed meeting takes place in early November will depend on the former lawmaker. As of time of publication, Sam An had not replied to the latet offer.