A Cambodian watchdog has voiced support for Prime Minister Hun Manet’s call for cooperation and technical assistance from France, saying the move is a targeted and appropriate response to the ongoing border dispute with Thailand.
Man Nat, president of the Cambodia Watchdog Council, said he agrees with Hun Manet in seeking French involvement, arguing that Thailand is currently encroaching on Cambodian territory in violation of international law.
Writing on his Facebook account on Thursday, Man Nat said the request for cooperation is necessary, noting that France, as Cambodia’s former colonial power, was involved in negotiating a number of historical agreements and treaties with Cambodia’s neighboring countries.
He said Hun Manet should request French technical experts to help verify large-scale 1 to 20,000 maps against the existing Cambodia-Thailand border line, which is marked by 73 boundary pillars. This process, he said, should also include a detailed review of reports and agreed technical records that both sides have relied on in the past.
Man Nat also urged the prime minister to seek France’s support as a legal witness should Cambodia pursue cases against Thailand at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
To strengthen Cambodia’s position further, he suggested that Hun Manet should hold direct talks with Emmanuel Macron to apply diplomatic pressure on Thailand to withdraw its troops from Cambodian sovereign territory.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said on Thursday that Hun Manet had sent a letter to the French president in response to France’s stated willingness to provide historical and technical documents related to the Cambodia-Thailand international border, should Cambodia formally request them.
The prime minister said Cambodia places high importance on France’s role, not only as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, but also as a leading supporter of global governance, international law, and multilateralism. He added that France remains a long-term partner bound to Cambodia through mutual respect, shared history, and common values.
On the same issue, French Ambassador to Cambodia Jacques Pellet told Senate President Hun Sen during a meeting on July 10, 2025, that France supports Cambodia’s position in seeking a peaceful resolution to the sensitive border dispute based on international law through the International Court of Justice.
The French government has also pledged to provide relevant documentation to assist Cambodia in any legal action at international courts concerning the border dispute with Thailand.
