Thailand's Ambassador to France, H.E. Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, has firmly rejected allegations that Thai diplomats sought to influence the agenda of the upcoming Summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

In a statement issued on 5 September, the Ambassador responded to an article published by The Phnom Penh Post on 2 September 2026, titled "Thai Diplomats Pressed Cambodia to Drop Border Dispute from Francophonie Agenda." He described the report as a serious misrepresentation of the facts.

The article suggested that the Ambassador had attempted to persuade the envoy of a third country to lobby Cambodia against raising the Thailand–Cambodia border issue at the 20th OIF Summit, scheduled for November. The Ambassador stated unequivocally that no such action ever took place.

He emphasized that Thai diplomats carry out their duties in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, and that an accusation of this kind has no factual foundation whatsoever, and its very nature gives cause to wonder what purpose it was meant to serve.

The Ambassador further noted the striking coincidence in timing between the article's publication and two upcoming milestones: the conciliation process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Francophonie Summit itself.

Reaffirming Thailand's position, he stressed that multilateral cooperation and the rule of law must remain the foundation of international relations, adding that "the truth is always sufficient, and it speaks for itself."

He concluded with a call for both sides to conduct themselves as responsible diplomats and sincere neighbours, and to refrain from such practices.