Thai Defence Minister Refutes Reports on Cambodian PM’s Apology

AKP Phnom Penh, February 20, 2025 —

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has refuted reports suggesting that Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet apologised to Thailand regarding the incident at Ta Moan Thom Temple, calling the claims inaccurate.

“Phumtham clarified that some media outlets had incorrectly reported that Hun Manet had personally called him to apologise. Phumtham emphasised that this misinformation had caused unnecessary issues on the Cambodian side because they did not do it. As a result, the reports created the impression that Thailand had disseminated unfounded information,” read The Nation Thailand on Feb. 20.

According to the source, Phumtham urged media outlets to correct the reports, reiterating that Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet had not blamed Thailand and that the matter was not as significant as it had been portrayed.

Phumtham called for a smooth resolution and reaffirmed that diplomatic and military relations between the two countries remained strong and unaffected.

By C. Nika