PHNOM PENH, Oct. 20, 2025 — Prime Minister Hun Manet said Tuesday that Cambodia and Thailand are expected to sign a peace agreement soon and urged continued dialogue to resolve their long-running border dispute, calling diplomacy a better alternative to military action.

Speaking at the official inauguration of the Techo International Airport in Kandal province — a US$2.3 billion, 4F-class facility — Hun Manet said anger met with anger would only prolong conflict and cause widespread devastation.

“If leaders continue to use anger against anger, it is clear that the war will not end easily, which can cause devastation and death to citizens on both sides,” Hun Manet said. He cited wars elsewhere that have killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians, and added: “Therefore, in the coming days, we hope that a peace agreement will be signed soon and we will make every effort to end the conflict. This is our approach. This is what we must do.”

Prime Minister Hun Manet addressed public concerns on social media about tensions along the Cambodia‑Thailand border, which have persisted for more than two months. He urged citizens to remain calm while the Royal Government works “with the utmost care” to restore normalcy.

The prime minister described the border issue as complex and rooted in the colonial era, noting that few ASEAN countries are entirely free of such disputes. He said regional states have chosen peaceful resolution through bilateral or judicial mechanisms rather than military force.

Manet recounted bilateral efforts between Cambodia and Thailand, saying the two countries have held talks since 2000 and have jointly established 74 border posts. He said both sides are working diligently on remaining border-post issues and that the Border Committee will meet in the coming days to accelerate resolution.

“Cambodia has no intention of violating anyone’s sovereignty or territorial integrity, and we will not allow anyone to violate it,” Prime Minister Hun Manet said, adding that Cambodia seeks settlement through established mechanisms — including the Border Committee, international law, treaties and conventions — as it has for the past 20 years.

He said a peaceful settlement would allow people who live along the border to resume their lives without fear of displacement, and emphasized Cambodia’s preference for legal and international mechanisms to resolve disputes without one side losing territory.

The ceremony at the new Techo International Airport marked the government’s latest high-profile infrastructure milestone. The airport, designed to meet 4F specifications, is part of broader efforts to expand the country’s transport capacity and boost connectivity.