(Phnom Penh, 14th) The President of the Cambodian Senate, Hun Sen, reiterated that Cambodia does not seek weapons or ammunition in its border dispute with Thailand, nor does it wish for the conflict to escalate into bloodshed; instead, Cambodia calls for resolving the dispute through peaceful and lawful means.
Hun Sen posted on social media last Friday evening, reflecting on Cambodia's voting stance opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the 2022 United Nations Assembly. He stated: "Today, my compatriots and international friends may better understand why I instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cambodia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations to vote against Russia — a decision that surprised many countries about Cambodia's stance."
He pointed out: "I have always believed that one day Thailand might repeat its actions from 2008 to 2011. And today, we have already seen some acts of aggression and disregard for international law."
Hun Sen emphasized: "Therefore, my decision back then can now be better understood by the international community, especially those countries that adhere to international law, and it helps to understand the future direction of Cambodia's relations with Thailand."
He urges all countries upholding a rule-based foreign policy to encourage both parties to resolve disputes peacefully and lawfully.
Hun Sen particularly urged the international community to push Thailand to accept mediation by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve the following four key disputed areas:
- Grandmother Mountain (also known as the Emerald Triangle) at the junction of Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos;
- Ta Moan Thom Temple;
- Ta Moan Tauch Temple;
- Ta Krabei Temple.
Hun Sen emphasized: "Cambodia is not demanding armed confrontation with Thailand but hopes to gain international support and encouragement for dialogue and legal means to resolve issues."
Although the Cambodian-Thai border spans over 800 kilometers, Cambodia has only proposed four disputed hotspots prone to conflict and suggested prioritizing these through the International Court.
"These four issues are difficult to resolve within 100 years through bilateral mechanisms; therefore, only the International Court of Justice has sufficient authority and capability to adjudicate," Hun Sen pointed out.
He stated that taking legal proceedings does not mean provoking war, but rather it is the most peaceful and legitimate way to resolve disputes, and it helps to prevent future bloodshed. For national governments, even if a court decision is unfavorable, it allows for a more reasonable explanation to the public.
He cited examples where Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore submitted territorial disputes to the International Court of Justice and accepted its rulings, and now their diplomatic relations remain stable without persistent tensions.
"Avoiding legal means is equivalent to ignoring law and order, defying the respect for the rule of law by the contemporary international community," Hun Sen concluded.