Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday issued his annual reminder to armed forces stationed along the border, warning soldiers to bundle up for “winter”.

“Please, all of the brothers have to take care of their health,” the prime minister wrote on his Facebook page. “Coats were already distributed to all of the armed forces, and I wish you good health and success in your duty.”

The warning followed a December 14 statement by Water Resources and Meteorology Minister Lim Kean Hor, saying that temperature would dip between 18 and 20 degrees in provinces including Oddar Meanchey, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Ratanakkiri and Mondulkiri, starting yesterday.

“The relevant ministries, institutions, provincial authorities and the public must note this information and be careful about the cold weather,” Hor wrote in a statement.

Meas Yoeun, a deputy military commander based at Preah Vihear provincial headquarters, said yesterday that soldiers there had been warned about the lower temperatures.

However, although coats have been distributed to every soldier, temperatures along the Cambodia-Thai border have remained “normal” so far, he added.

“At the moment, there is no problem that could be caused by cold weather,” Yoeun said.