Cambodian PM Calls Rainsy a 'Traitor' Over Comments on Preah Vihear Conflict

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has accused former opposition leader Sam Rainsy of treason for repeating Thai claims that Cambodian forces fired indiscriminately during the Preah Vihear border conflict, while ignoring Thai attacks that damaged Cambodian homes and pagodas.

Without naming Rainsy directly, Manet described the actions of a former opposition figure living abroad who publicly alleged that Cambodian soldiers targeted Thai civilians when fighting broke out. The prime minister said such statements insulted and demoralized Cambodia's military.

Defending the Military's Conduct

Speaking at the opening ceremony of National Road 10 — a roughly 200-kilometer highway linking Battambang province's Samlot district to Khemarak Phoumin town in Koh Kong province — Manet insisted that Cambodian forces never intentionally fired on civilian homes and only returned fire at military positions after being attacked first.

"For a Khmer to do this is like attacking his own army using Thai words," Manet said, calling it "a very serious act of treason."

He argued that the opposition figure's comments gave Thailand propaganda ammunition, enabling Bangkok to claim that even Cambodians admitted their own soldiers had targeted civilian areas — an allegation Manet flatly denied.

Disputed Bunkers Near Preah Vihear Temple

Manet also responded to claims by former Radio Free Asia journalist Muong Nareth, who reportedly echoed Thai allegations that Cambodia had built military bunkers in the Preah Vihear Temple area. Thailand used the alleged presence of those bunkers to justify airstrikes and shelling that damaged the temple at more than 500 points, according to Manet.

Citing the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the prime minister said the structures near the temple were civilian shelters — not weapons depots or military installations. He noted that they consisted of sandbag arrangements designed to protect people, including conservation workers and women who sheltered there during the first five days of fighting.

"Thailand also has bunkers for civilians to take shelter," he pointed out.

Destruction of Heritage Conservation Site

Manet drew attention to additional damage inflicted by Thai forces, including the destruction of a temple restoration site and a crane used for conservation work. He questioned why Thai troops would fire on such equipment if they were only targeting military positions.

He said Cambodia had invited journalists, UNESCO representatives, and other observers to inspect the site, and that the evidence spoke for itself. "We are not hiding anything. This is the truth," he declared.