Marking International Day of Peace, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has urged Thailand to respect bilateral commitments and collaborate in resolving border disputes through peaceful means and international legal frameworks.

In his statement issued on September 21, Manet reflected on the global observance of peace, emphasizing that nations worldwide, Cambodia included, have recommitted themselves to peace principles and honored those who gave their lives for it.

The prime minister stressed that international law by itself cannot secure peace without sincere political determination and strong enforcement. He pointed to both historical lessons and contemporary global challenges as evidence of this reality.

Cambodia continues to stand firmly behind core principles including state sovereignty and equality, non-use of force, faithful adherence to international commitments, enhanced cooperation through multilateral platforms, and peaceful dispute settlement under international law, Manet stated.

For Cambodia, peace represents far more than an abstract ideal—it is essential for survival and progress, the prime minister explained. Peace has enabled the nation to reconstruct itself, lift people out of poverty, build social and economic foundations, and establish deeper connections with regional and global partners.

"Peace has enabled us to channel all our resources toward development across every sector, transforming Cambodia into an engaged and responsible participant in world affairs. Through the United Nations framework, Cambodia has taken pride in supporting global peacekeeping efforts," Manet said.

According to the prime minister, Cambodia has sent 10,912 peacekeepers to UN missions across ten nations since 2006, with women comprising 1,082 of those deployed. These missions have taken Cambodian forces to Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Mali, Yemen, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Yet Manet also addressed Cambodia's painful wartime past and what he characterized as recent violations of national sovereignty by a neighboring nation—an unmistakable reference to Thailand.

He directly appealed to Thailand to honor existing bilateral agreements.

"Having lived through the suffering and catastrophic aftermath of conflict, and experiencing recent encroachments on our sovereignty, we understand more profoundly than ever the immeasurable worth of peace, the vast possibilities it creates, and its delicate nature that demands our collective commitment to safeguard it at any cost," the prime minister declared.

Manet reiterated that his government is once more asking Thailand to respect previously reached agreements and engage constructively in peaceful border resolution grounded in international legal principles.

"With this in mind, the Royal Government of Cambodia again urges the Thai side to honor agreed commitments, join in resolving Cambodia-Thailand border matters peacefully according to international law, ease tensions, foster trust, and work toward restoring border peace and harmonious relations between our peoples as good neighbors," he stated.

The Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed in October 2025 by Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul—with US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as witnesses—reaffirmed both nations' dedication to peaceful border dispute settlement respecting international law. The declaration called for tension reduction, trust-building measures, and using bilateral channels to handle border concerns.

Manet concluded by affirming Cambodia's continued adherence to fundamental peace principles, including sovereignty respect, equality, and peaceful dispute resolution through international law without resorting to force.

These values remain critical for protecting citizens' security and welfare while supporting sustainable and inclusive economic and social development, he added.