(Phnom Penh/Bangkok, 12th) The Cambodian government announced the establishment of a high-level committee to prepare to submit the boundary demarcation issues of four disputed sovereign areas along the Thai-Cambodian border to the International Court of Justice for arbitration. The Thai government responded that it is prepared to take "appropriate response measures."
Despite Thailand's insistence on resolving the border dispute through bilateral mechanisms, the Cambodian government announced on Tuesday (June 10) that Prime Minister Hun Manet has signed a resolution to establish a committee to prepare litigation documents to submit the border disputes over Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and the Emerald Triangle to the International Court for a ruling.
This indicates that Cambodia intends to bypass bilateral mechanisms and seek a comprehensive resolution to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute through the Hague International Court.
According to the Khmer Times, the committee is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, and both houses of parliament support resolving the long-standing border dispute through the International Court.
The Thai and Cambodian governments were originally scheduled to hold border demarcation negotiations next Saturday (14th). Responding to Cambodia's latest move, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit said on Wednesday (11th) when answering media inquiries that taking legal action is Cambodia's right, but Thailand has refused to recognize the International Court's ruling since the previous government.
He also stated that border disputes are not easy to resolve, but he is confident that the situation will gradually ease, noting that communication between the Thai and Cambodian militaries is now more frequent.
When asked about the potential impact of Cambodia's unilateral filing with the International Court, Prawit said it's difficult to predict, but Thailand has formulated response plans. "At a time of national crisis, how can we not be prepared? Details will be announced at an appropriate time."
After a conflict between the two militaries, Thailand shortened the opening hours of ten border checkpoints. However, the National reported that starting Wednesday, Thai authorities allowed Cambodian students to pass freely without time restrictions to attend school as usual.
The Thai and Cambodian armies had a brief skirmish on May 28 in the Choam-Padar area near the two countries' border, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Thailand then temporarily closed two border checkpoints, citing threats to national sovereignty and security, prohibiting tourist entry, later reopening but with shortened passage times. The two countries also shortened the validity period of tourist visas.
Cambodia criticized Thailand's restriction on border passage, warning it would impact Thai export trade. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Thailand's plans to cut off electricity and internet services to Cambodia could not prevent Phnom Penh from taking the border issue to the International Court.
In response, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified on Wednesday that cutting electricity and internet was to combat cross-national fraud activities operating within Cambodia and was not a negotiation lever to prevent Cambodia from seeking litigation at the International Court.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visited the border region in Surin Province on Wednesday, overseeing a border security meeting. The Bangkok Post quoted Surin Governor Samran saying that the Thai and Cambodian governments have each shortened the opening hours of border checkpoints to six hours, though the specific timings differ. Prayut expressed a desire to coordinate with Cambodia to ensure consistent opening hours for personnel and trade flow.
Prayut revealed on Tuesday that she had phone conversations with Hun Manet and Cambodian former Prime Minister, now Senate President Hun Sen, and expressed confidence in easing the situation through bilateral dialogue. She emphasized Thailand's commitment to resolving border issues peacefully through open and honest negotiations, avoiding violent conflicts.
Despite Thailand's insistence on resolving the border dispute through bilateral mechanisms, the Cambodian government announced on Tuesday (June 10) that Prime Minister Hun Manet has signed a resolution to establish a committee to prepare litigation documents to submit the border disputes over Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and the Emerald Triangle to the International Court for a ruling.
This indicates that Cambodia intends to bypass bilateral mechanisms and seek a comprehensive resolution to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute through the Hague International Court.
According to the Khmer Times, the committee is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, and both houses of parliament support resolving the long-standing border dispute through the International Court.
The Thai and Cambodian governments were originally scheduled to hold border demarcation negotiations next Saturday (14th). Responding to Cambodia's latest move, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit said on Wednesday (11th) when answering media inquiries that taking legal action is Cambodia's right, but Thailand has refused to recognize the International Court's ruling since the previous government.
He also stated that border disputes are not easy to resolve, but he is confident that the situation will gradually ease, noting that communication between the Thai and Cambodian militaries is now more frequent.
When asked about the potential impact of Cambodia's unilateral filing with the International Court, Prawit said it's difficult to predict, but Thailand has formulated response plans. "At a time of national crisis, how can we not be prepared? Details will be announced at an appropriate time."
After a conflict between the two militaries, Thailand shortened the opening hours of ten border checkpoints. However, the National reported that starting Wednesday, Thai authorities allowed Cambodian students to pass freely without time restrictions to attend school as usual.
The Thai and Cambodian armies had a brief skirmish on May 28 in the Choam-Padar area near the two countries' border, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Thailand then temporarily closed two border checkpoints, citing threats to national sovereignty and security, prohibiting tourist entry, later reopening but with shortened passage times. The two countries also shortened the validity period of tourist visas.
Cambodia criticized Thailand's restriction on border passage, warning it would impact Thai export trade. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Thailand's plans to cut off electricity and internet services to Cambodia could not prevent Phnom Penh from taking the border issue to the International Court.
In response, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified on Wednesday that cutting electricity and internet was to combat cross-national fraud activities operating within Cambodia and was not a negotiation lever to prevent Cambodia from seeking litigation at the International Court.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visited the border region in Surin Province on Wednesday, overseeing a border security meeting. The Bangkok Post quoted Surin Governor Samran saying that the Thai and Cambodian governments have each shortened the opening hours of border checkpoints to six hours, though the specific timings differ. Prayut expressed a desire to coordinate with Cambodia to ensure consistent opening hours for personnel and trade flow.
Prayut revealed on Tuesday that she had phone conversations with Hun Manet and Cambodian former Prime Minister, now Senate President Hun Sen, and expressed confidence in easing the situation through bilateral dialogue. She emphasized Thailand's commitment to resolving border issues peacefully through open and honest negotiations, avoiding violent conflicts.