(Phnom Penh): Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, delivered a firm message urging citizens to strengthen the use of the Khmer Riel. He stressed that true patriotism is reflected in one’s choice of currency, calling on Cambodians to carry and value banknotes bearing the images of the King Father, Queen Mother, and His Majesty the King. In contrast, he warned against using banknotes depicting a foreign monarch who regards Cambodia with hostility and contempt.

Samdech Techo wrote on his social media on Wednesday (Oct. 8) as follows:

“I have received information that our citizens, particularly those living along the border in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey province, have begun exchanging Thai Baht for Riel within approximately two hours after I posted my message on 6 October 2025.

It is a positive development that Cambodian citizens are using the Riel on their own soil, helping to avoid financial losses and preventing the Riel from becoming a national vulnerability when foreign currencies are used as political tools.

I have also learned that some of our fellow Khmers who work and earn a living in Thailand are currently unable to withdraw money from banks there.

This situation reveals how the Thai Baht is harming Cambodians working and living in Thailand. In the future, the Baht will also harm Cambodians inside Cambodia if they continue to spend and save in Baht.

However, what I wish to appeal for is this: to all our compatriots engaged in currency exchange, please trade at market rates. Do not seek excessive profit by devaluing the Baht and inflating the Riel, which causes losses to those who need to exchange money.

I would also like to call upon our fellow compatriots to stop quoting wages, product prices, or service charges in Thai Baht. From now on, please switch to quoting in Riel or US dollars, and preferably in Riel, in order to strengthen our national currency.

If you truly love your country, keep banknotes bearing the image of our King Father, Queen Mother, and His Majesty the King in your wallets, pockets, or purses, rather than the banknotes of a foreign king who sees us as enemies and treats us with contempt.

I also urge the Royal Government and all levels of authorities to take action and eliminate any officials and traders who continue to smuggle Thai goods into the country while the border remains officially closed. This behavior makes our neighbors look down on us, assuming we cannot live without their goods.

If I were still Prime Minister as I once was, I wouldn’t need to speak in such language. I would simply issue orders for arrests or removals from office. But please don’t think that “when the cat’s away, the mice will play.”
=FRESH NEWS