Senate president Hun Sen has called on all Khmer compatriots to unite and team up as one strong nationalist movement, ready to resist and dismantle Thailand’s “sinister schemes to encroach upon Cambodia’s sovereign land”.
His statement was in response to comments by Thai anti-government protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul, who pledged to invade Cambodian territory should he be in power.
“Ah Hun Sen. You are lucky that I, Sondhi Limthongkul, do not hold power. If I did, today I would already have taken Battambang, Siem Reap and Serei Saophoan, and tomorrow I would go for Preah Vihear and then on to Koh Kood. And if you were still not satisfied, I would head straight for Phnom Penh,” Sondhi said, as he addressed a large June 28 protest against the Thai government.
A video of his speech from the Bangkok rally has since gone viral.
Hun Sen described how Thailand still harbours ambitions and greed for Cambodian territory. He said such remarks from “this Thai extremist politician” demonstrate a deep-seated ambition and greed to seize Cambodian territory by the so-called Kingdom of Smiles.
“Therefore, I call on all Khmer compatriots to unite as one strong nationalist movement, to remain ever vigilant, and always be prepared to resist and dismantle Thailand’s sinister schemes to encroach upon Cambodia’s sovereign land,” he said, in a June 30 social media post.
“Given such aggressive intentions, we must strengthen all types of armed forces, reinforce national defence among the people and strive to expedite border demarcation negotiations with Thailand. We must prepare ourselves for a long-term struggle through military, political, diplomatic and legal paths.
“Until the border is clearly demarcated, the risk of military clashes or border wars remains high and difficult to avoid,” he added.
He said his message was meant to alert and awaken Cambodian compatriots to be ready to fight off any invaders of our territory.
The border situation between the two neighbouring Kingdoms remains tense, with more and more restrictions being imposed by each country in turn.
