The Cambodia Daily
12th-01-2026
Political observers in Cambodia have criticised Prime Minister Hun Manet for no longer describing recent fighting with Thailand as an invasion, despite allegations that Thai forces bombed deep into Cambodian territory and continue to occupy areas claimed by Cambodia.
The head of the Cambodia Watchdog Council, Men Nath, wrote on social media that he agreed with public calls for the government to continue using the phrase “Thai invasion of Cambodia”. He said Thai troops remain stationed in several locations inside Cambodian territory and have carried out air strikes deep inside the country, actions he said violated international law during two recent rounds of fighting.
Men Nath argued that even if the Cambodian government wished to avoid the term invasion out of concern that it could complicate negotiations with Thailand, it should not ignore key details. He said Phnom Penh [Cambodia Govt] must collect evidence and compile reports on what he described as illegal military actions by Thailand, including the occupation of Cambodian territory and cross-border attacks.
He said all evidence should be submitted to international partners and attached to legal complaints filed with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Men Nath also urged the government to apply multiple mechanisms in response to the conflict, including high-level diplomatic pressure and legal action against the Thai government and senior military commanders. He added that Cambodia should be prepared to exercise its right to self-defence at any time if Thailand continues to use force.
His comments followed a special address by Hun Manet after fighting between Cambodia and Thailand was temporarily halted.
On January 10, 2026, Hun Manet stated the twenty-one-day conflict, focusing on the reconstruction of civilian infrastructure and the return of displaced civilians. He outlined the impact of the fighting on livelihoods, public services, and civilian facilities, and plans for recovery.
However, critics noted that the prime minister described the damage as the result of a border dispute, without referring to it as an invasion by Thailand.
By contrast, on January 7, 2026, Hun Sen said Thailand had launched a violent war violating Cambodia’s territorial integrity along the border, under the pretext of protecting Thai security and sovereignty.
The United States president, Donald Trump, said on December 22, 2025, that Thailand had invaded Cambodia, arguing that Bangkok had initiated the border conflict.
Thailand has rejected those claims. The Thai newspaper Khaosod quoted acting prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul earlier this month as saying Thai military actions were solely to defend national territory.
On January 2, 2026, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai forces were illegally occupying fourteen locations across four Cambodian provinces. It said these included three sites in Banteay Meanchey, two in Pursat, three in Preah Vihear, and six in Oddar Meanchey.
The ministry added that during large-scale military operations from December 7 to December 27, 2025, Thai forces carried out what it described as systematic and premeditated attacks on multiple locations inside Cambodia, to seize and hold territory in violation of international law.
