PHNOM PENH: Former opposition lawmaker Um Sam An has responded to an invitation from Prime Minister Hun Manet, proposing that meetings be held in Phnom Penh in the first week of November.
His response follows a series of public exchanges between Manet and Sam An, with the prime minister inviting him to present evidence of claims he made regarding the placement of specific temporary border markers.
In the Oct 12 letter, signed by Sam An but shared by former opposition leader Sam Rainsy, Sam An highlighted the importance of seeking solutions to the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border disputes, but also made several requests. He proposed that criminal charges be dropped, pardons granted and written security guarantees provided for members of a potential delegation.
The letter was headed “Independent Cambodian Government of 23 October”.
Sam An, who identified himself as head of the group’s National Sovereignty and Border Affairs body, said the decision to participate in discussions with the government could not be made by him alone but required a collective decision by his group.
“I will propose that the Independent Cambodian Government of 23 October convene a meeting to consider the possibility of sending an official delegation to Phnom Penh to open discussions aimed at finding solutions in the interests of Cambodia and the Cambodian people as a whole,” he wrote.
He did not identify potential members of any possible delegation.
In his proposal, Um Sam An called for public discussions between the two sides to focus on three main agenda items, extending beyond the issue of boundary pillars 52 to 59 raised in Hun Manet’s initial invitation.
The first agenda item concerns Cambodia-Thailand land boundary disputes as a whole, while the second addresses maritime boundary disputes between Cambodia and Thailand.
For the third item, he proposed that the Cambodian government approach the French government to request technical experts and maps to assist in verifying the boundary and determining its precise location on the ground based on cartographic evidence.
He explained that the three agenda items were intended to provide a comprehensive examination of Cambodia-Thailand border issues, rather than focusing solely on a concrete border fence that he alleged Thailand had unilaterally constructed between boundary pillars 52 and 59.
He also proposed holding the discussions between Nov 1 and 7, 2026, with further meetings to follow in an effort to reach comprehensive solutions to outstanding issues.
Sam An maintained that his proposal was not intended to pursue a political “win” or engage in personal attacks, but solely to seek solutions to Cambodia’s territorial disputes.
Manet issued an earlier invitation to Sam An and his team to present documents and evidence before officials from the State Secretariat of Border Affairs concerning allegations that temporary markers placed between boundary pillars 52 and 59 had resulted in Cambodian territorial losses to Thailand.
The prime minister rejected the allegations, but pledged to guarantee the safety of Sam An and his team throughout their stay in Cambodia.
He also offered to cover airfares, transportation and accommodation if the former opposition leader lacked the financial means to make the trip.
Although Sam An expressed concerns about his safety and raised the possibility of holding discussions abroad, Manet explained that the meeting should take place in Cambodia to allow for on-site verification of the disputed border locations if discussions based on documents failed to produce a clear conclusion.
Manet also offered to allow Um Sam An to seek additional security monitoring from a foreign embassy or trusted civil society organisation in Cambodia if he remained doubtful about the government’s assurances.
Sam An’s latest requests for criminal charges to be dropped, pardons to be granted and official written security guarantees issued differ from the prime minister’s public assurances.
Cambodia-Thailand border issues remain sensitive, with ongoing negotiations and efforts to resolve outstanding disputes. Claims of territorial losses or boundary violations require verification through legal documents, maps and other technical data.
The placement of temporary markers for technical purposes must also be distinguished from the formal demarcation of an international boundary to avoid drawing conclusions about changes in sovereignty or territorial losses.
As of publication, the government had not responded to Sam An’s requests. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
