Senate President Urges Cambodians to Support Local Products

Senate President Urges Cambodians to Support Local Products

Phnom Penh, October 6, 2025 — Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, today called on Cambodian citizens to reduce reliance on Thai products and avoid using the Thai baht in daily transactions as part of efforts to strengthen national independence and economic resilience.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen emphasized that Cambodians should not take any actions that would harm Thai companies or Thai nationals living and working peacefully in Cambodia. He underlined: “I still believe that the majority of Thai people do not want to be enemies of the Cambodian people.”

Responding to claims from some Thai leaders that Cambodia faces economic hardship following Thailand’s border closures, Samdech Techo Hun Sen described such views as misguided. He noted that Cambodia spends no less than five billion US dollars annually on Thai goods, and redirecting this spending toward local products would create opportunities for Cambodian producers and strengthen the national economy.

“We never asked for Thai products to be sold in our markets. We paid for them,” he said. “Thai leaders must not misunderstand or continue to belittle Cambodia. We know Thailand is wealthier than Cambodia, but you should also acknowledge that we spend money to buy your goods, which contributes to income for the Thai people.”

In his message, the Senate President also addressed Thai traders directly, urging them not to be disheartened by the possibility of losing a significant customer: “This is not Cambodia’s fault.”

Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s statement reinforces Cambodia’s commitment to protecting national dignity and economic sovereignty, while maintaining a spirit of diplomacy, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence with the Thai people.