"Our nationalist movement has grown as some Thai politicians use Cambodia as an excuse to add fuel to their internal political crisis. We have been patient, trying to prevent that fire from spreading to our country. But Thailand has crossed the red line. They shot and killed one of our soldiers," Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet said today.

Hun Manet referred to the border shootout between Cambodian and Thai troops in the Mom Bei area on 28/5, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. He said that "unilateral actions and disregard for Cambodian sovereignty" from Thailand prompted Cambodians to march on 18/6.

Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet in Tokyo on 30/5. Photo: AFP

Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet in Tokyo on 30/5. Photo: AFP

Prime minister Hun Manet said he was not stirring up nationalist sentiment, but was merely fulfilling his duty as a leader. He urged Thailand not to bring internal issues into bilateral relations with Cambodia.

"We do not interfere in Thailand's internal affairs, but we will react when your actions threaten our national security," Hun Manet said.

As tensions between the two countries escalated, the Thai military closed the Chong Sai Taku border crossing with Cambodia on 22/6. Major general Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the Thai military, said they decided to close the Chong Sai Taku crossing because they observed Cambodia deploying more soldiers and military equipment along several sections of the border, causing "national security concerns."

Winthai said the current situation worries Thai people living near the area. The closure was carefully considered by military units in the area, based on a comprehensive security assessment.

Hun Manet reacted by ordering the closure of two border crossings in the area. He declared that Cambodia will not reopen the border crossings until Thailand acts first.

The Cambodian leader emphasized that the country will avoid conflict, but will not hesitate to protect its territorial integrity. "We seek peace, but we have both the right and the ability to defend our sovereignty," Hun Manet said.

Cambodia-Thailand tensions erupted after a shooting in an area where the border has not yet been fully demarcated, killing a Cambodian soldier in late May. Both sides claim they acted in self-defense.

The conflict intensified after a leaked recording of a phone call between Cambodian senate president Hun Sen and Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a protest note to Cambodia, calling the leak "a violation of universal principles in international relations."

After closing some border crossings, the two countries have taken economic measures against each other. Prime minister Hun Manet announced that Cambodia has stopped importing Thai gasoline from today.

Ngoc Anh (Cambodianess, Khmer Times, AFP)