Tête à tête - 'We have to avoid acts of provocation' with Cambodia, Thai FM says

France 24

by Marc PERELMAN

February 23, 2026

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Tête à tête - 'We have to avoid acts of provocation' with Cambodia, Thai FM says

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow emphasized the need for de-escalation between Thailand and Cambodia, warning that continued conflict would only lead to greater losses. Despite acknowledging a fragile ceasefire signed on December 27, 2025, after weeks of clashes that displaced over a million civilians and killed dozens, Sihasak dismissed Phnom Penh's territorial claims as "totally incorrect." He accused Cambodia of unnecessarily internationalizing the conflict, which he said was not in the region's best interest. The minister also revealed that he communicates with his Cambodian counterpart via WhatsApp to prevent further escalation, reiterating Thailand's commitment to avoiding acts of provocation. The tensions between the two nations have been fueled by a history of border disputes and territorial claims. A previous US-brokered agreement collapsed within weeks of its signing in October, highlighting the fragility of the peace process. Sihasak stressed that any further conflict would only result in greater economic and human losses for both countries. He also criticized Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet for claiming that Thailand was occupying positions deep inside Cambodian territory, calling these assertions "not true." Looking beyond the immediate conflict, Sihasak expressed Thailand's desire to promote regional stability by reintegrating Myanmar into ASEAN following its 2021 military coup. He emphasized that sustainable peace in Myanmar is in Thailand's interest and stressed that this process requires mutual dialogue and reconciliation. However, he made it clear that re-engagement with Myanmar is not a one-way street and that the country must demonstrate a commitment to establishing a viable peace process. The ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia underscore

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Originally published on France 24 on 2/23/2026