(Phnom Penh, 16th) Cambodia has formally written to the International Court, seeking resolution to its border dispute with Thailand.
Cambodia stated that during the joint Cambodian-Thai land boundary committee meeting held on Sunday (June 15), it invited Thailand to jointly submit disputes regarding Ta Muan Thom Temple and three other border dispute areas to the International Court of Arbitration. If Thailand refuses, Cambodia will act unilaterally.
However, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on Facebook that evening, denying that this matter was discussed in the meeting. Thailand also stated that the two-day meeting starting from Saturday (14th) did not reach any conclusion.
The Cambodian-Thai joint committee meeting on the demarcation of land borders, which had been suspended for 12 years, was held in Phnom Penh over the past two days. Both parties initially expected to release a joint statement after the talks, but separate statements were ultimately issued.
The Secretariat of Frontier Affairs in Cambodia emphasized in its statement that Phnom Penh insists on submitting the four disputed areas to the International Court for a ruling, and thus, these areas will no longer be topics for bilateral mechanism discussions between the two countries.
According to a report by the "Cambodia-China Times", officials from both countries discussed and approved plans to dispatch a joint survey team to survey and demarcate borders at the agreed-upon boundary marker locations. The parties also signed the meeting minutes, planning to hold another meeting in September to continue promoting the implementation of subsequent border consultation agendas.
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement saying that the two-day meeting did not reach any conclusions, and the next meeting in September will be hosted by Thailand. On the evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on Facebook stating, "The meeting did not discuss Cambodia’s claim to submit the four areas to the International Court, nor discussion about the 1:200,000 scale map."
This map refers to the map used by an independent Cambodia after France’s colonization ended in 1953. Thailand uses its own map, which has led to differing interpretations of the border.
Though Thailand emphasized that the meeting had no results, it acknowledged this as a vital milestone that allows both countries to make progress in demarcation and alleviating border tensions. Thailand reiterated that it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Court over the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.
However, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced before the representatives' meeting on Sunday that the Cambodian government had submitted a letter requesting the International Court to arbitrate the border dispute involving Ta Muan Thom Temple and other locations.
He wrote on Facebook that "In the case where bilateral negotiation mechanisms fail to effectively function, Cambodia chooses international law and peace."
Cambodian media reports that this move coincides with the 63rd anniversary of the historic ruling on June 15, 1962, when the International Court awarded Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia. The report quoted Hun Manet stating that although the two lawsuits are more than 60 years apart, Cambodia's spirit and goal remain consistent, which is to resolve sensitive, complex border disputes with the potential risk of armed conflict through international law and judicial mechanisms.
He emphasized that Cambodia is not seeking confrontation, but rather a fair, reasonable, and clear border demarcation to prevent future generations from facing endless disputes.
The Thai-Cambodian border dispute has a long history. On May 28 of this year, military forces from both sides briefly exchanged fire in the Chongbok area on the national border, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier and escalating tensions. Both countries' leaders have expressed the desire to resolve the conflict peacefully, yet Thailand has increased border control, and Cambodia ordered its military to remain on full alert, keeping the situation delicate.
Cambodia stated that during the joint Cambodian-Thai land boundary committee meeting held on Sunday (June 15), it invited Thailand to jointly submit disputes regarding Ta Muan Thom Temple and three other border dispute areas to the International Court of Arbitration. If Thailand refuses, Cambodia will act unilaterally.
However, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on Facebook that evening, denying that this matter was discussed in the meeting. Thailand also stated that the two-day meeting starting from Saturday (14th) did not reach any conclusion.
The Cambodian-Thai joint committee meeting on the demarcation of land borders, which had been suspended for 12 years, was held in Phnom Penh over the past two days. Both parties initially expected to release a joint statement after the talks, but separate statements were ultimately issued.
The Secretariat of Frontier Affairs in Cambodia emphasized in its statement that Phnom Penh insists on submitting the four disputed areas to the International Court for a ruling, and thus, these areas will no longer be topics for bilateral mechanism discussions between the two countries.
According to a report by the "Cambodia-China Times", officials from both countries discussed and approved plans to dispatch a joint survey team to survey and demarcate borders at the agreed-upon boundary marker locations. The parties also signed the meeting minutes, planning to hold another meeting in September to continue promoting the implementation of subsequent border consultation agendas.
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement saying that the two-day meeting did not reach any conclusions, and the next meeting in September will be hosted by Thailand. On the evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on Facebook stating, "The meeting did not discuss Cambodia’s claim to submit the four areas to the International Court, nor discussion about the 1:200,000 scale map."
This map refers to the map used by an independent Cambodia after France’s colonization ended in 1953. Thailand uses its own map, which has led to differing interpretations of the border.
Though Thailand emphasized that the meeting had no results, it acknowledged this as a vital milestone that allows both countries to make progress in demarcation and alleviating border tensions. Thailand reiterated that it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Court over the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.
However, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced before the representatives' meeting on Sunday that the Cambodian government had submitted a letter requesting the International Court to arbitrate the border dispute involving Ta Muan Thom Temple and other locations.
He wrote on Facebook that "In the case where bilateral negotiation mechanisms fail to effectively function, Cambodia chooses international law and peace."
Cambodian media reports that this move coincides with the 63rd anniversary of the historic ruling on June 15, 1962, when the International Court awarded Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia. The report quoted Hun Manet stating that although the two lawsuits are more than 60 years apart, Cambodia's spirit and goal remain consistent, which is to resolve sensitive, complex border disputes with the potential risk of armed conflict through international law and judicial mechanisms.
He emphasized that Cambodia is not seeking confrontation, but rather a fair, reasonable, and clear border demarcation to prevent future generations from facing endless disputes.
The Thai-Cambodian border dispute has a long history. On May 28 of this year, military forces from both sides briefly exchanged fire in the Chongbok area on the national border, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier and escalating tensions. Both countries' leaders have expressed the desire to resolve the conflict peacefully, yet Thailand has increased border control, and Cambodia ordered its military to remain on full alert, keeping the situation delicate.