(Singapore, 4th) After a deadly clash broke out between Thai and Cambodian troops in the disputed Chong Bok area along the border, Cambodia proposed to file a case with the International Court of Justice in The Hague to fully resolve the dispute. The Thai military rejected this proposal, asserting that the priority is how both parties can achieve peaceful coexistence in the Chong Bok area.
Thai and Cambodian troops briefly exchanged fire last Wednesday (May 28) in the Chong Bok area of Ubon Ratchathani Province in southeastern Thailand, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on social media last Sunday (June 1) that Phnom Penh plans to directly appeal to the court at The Hague regarding a series of Thailand-Cambodia border disputes, including those involving the Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Toch Temple, and Ta Krabei Temple. These disputes will be included in the agenda of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Border Commission meetings, while continuing the work of demarcating and marking the Thailand-Cambodia border.
In a subsequent meeting with the Senate on Monday (2nd), Hun Manet pointed out that despite efforts by the governments of Thailand and Cambodia to prevent the escalation of conflict and maintain good relations in the border area, tensions have yet to be alleviated, with extremist elements continuing to incite unrest. Even if Thailand disagrees, Cambodia will submit the matter to the International Court to fully resolve the dispute.
Termsak Chalermpalanupap, a senior visiting fellow from the Yusof Ishak Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, analysed for the "Lianhe Zaobao" that the International Court had previously awarded the sovereignty of the Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia, and Phnom Penh "hopes to take this case to the International Court, believing Cambodia can win again."
The two countries have long-standing border sovereignty disputes. In addition to the historic site Preah Vihear, Chong Bok is also one of the sensitive areas, with no clear demarcation to date. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding in 2000 opposing unilateral actions that might change the status quo.
However, Hun Manet believes this document is no longer valid as sovereignty disputes have not been resolved over the past 25 years.
He said: "If the International Court does not arbitrate, this issue will be like the conflict between Palestine and Israel in Gaza, never to be resolved, with constant conflicts large and small. If we are sincere and genuine, why should we fear going to the court?"
Thailand refuses to join Cambodia in filing at the International Court. The Thai Army spokesman Col. Winthai stated on Monday that seeking arbitration at The Hague has no relevance to the current situation on the ground. What is critical now is how both parties can coexist peacefully in the still undefined Chong Bok area.
Col. Winthai said, Cambodia’s claim of sovereignty over some border areas based on different theories has no impact on the actual territory and does not have any international legal effect. Both countries have agreed to resolve territorial issues through the Joint Border Commission. "Thailand focuses on coexistence under mutually agreed rules."
The Thai military last weekend deployed troops and weapons to a police station more than 100 km east of Bangkok in Sa Kaeo Province. This move is aimed at informing people in the border area that if a conflict occurs, the military will protect the people.
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai mentioned that both sides could peacefully resolve the issue. During his recent attendance at an international forum, he discussed the Chong Bok incident with Cambodia’s foreign minister and prime minister. Both sides agreed to cooperate to ease tensions and use existing joint border mechanisms to resolve the issue peacefully.
According to the Thai newspaper, "The Nation," Cambodian troops have reportedly deployed large forces and heavy artillery to the Chong Bok area, with some advancing into Thai territory and deploying heavy weapons opposite Thailand.
Sources reveal that the Thai military has informed the government of these actions occurring within Thailand’s jurisdiction. The military has advised closing all Thailand-Cambodia border crossings, warning that failure to act might be seen as tacit approval of illegal border crossings.
However, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon have urged the military not to close border crossings, as authorities are concerned this could impact the economy, particularly cross-border trade, exacerbating Thailand’s domestic economic challenges.
Thai and Cambodian troops briefly exchanged fire last Wednesday (May 28) in the Chong Bok area of Ubon Ratchathani Province in southeastern Thailand, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on social media last Sunday (June 1) that Phnom Penh plans to directly appeal to the court at The Hague regarding a series of Thailand-Cambodia border disputes, including those involving the Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Toch Temple, and Ta Krabei Temple. These disputes will be included in the agenda of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Border Commission meetings, while continuing the work of demarcating and marking the Thailand-Cambodia border.
In a subsequent meeting with the Senate on Monday (2nd), Hun Manet pointed out that despite efforts by the governments of Thailand and Cambodia to prevent the escalation of conflict and maintain good relations in the border area, tensions have yet to be alleviated, with extremist elements continuing to incite unrest. Even if Thailand disagrees, Cambodia will submit the matter to the International Court to fully resolve the dispute.
Termsak Chalermpalanupap, a senior visiting fellow from the Yusof Ishak Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, analysed for the "Lianhe Zaobao" that the International Court had previously awarded the sovereignty of the Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia, and Phnom Penh "hopes to take this case to the International Court, believing Cambodia can win again."
The two countries have long-standing border sovereignty disputes. In addition to the historic site Preah Vihear, Chong Bok is also one of the sensitive areas, with no clear demarcation to date. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding in 2000 opposing unilateral actions that might change the status quo.
However, Hun Manet believes this document is no longer valid as sovereignty disputes have not been resolved over the past 25 years.
He said: "If the International Court does not arbitrate, this issue will be like the conflict between Palestine and Israel in Gaza, never to be resolved, with constant conflicts large and small. If we are sincere and genuine, why should we fear going to the court?"
Thailand refuses to join Cambodia in filing at the International Court. The Thai Army spokesman Col. Winthai stated on Monday that seeking arbitration at The Hague has no relevance to the current situation on the ground. What is critical now is how both parties can coexist peacefully in the still undefined Chong Bok area.
Col. Winthai said, Cambodia’s claim of sovereignty over some border areas based on different theories has no impact on the actual territory and does not have any international legal effect. Both countries have agreed to resolve territorial issues through the Joint Border Commission. "Thailand focuses on coexistence under mutually agreed rules."
The Thai military last weekend deployed troops and weapons to a police station more than 100 km east of Bangkok in Sa Kaeo Province. This move is aimed at informing people in the border area that if a conflict occurs, the military will protect the people.
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai mentioned that both sides could peacefully resolve the issue. During his recent attendance at an international forum, he discussed the Chong Bok incident with Cambodia’s foreign minister and prime minister. Both sides agreed to cooperate to ease tensions and use existing joint border mechanisms to resolve the issue peacefully.
According to the Thai newspaper, "The Nation," Cambodian troops have reportedly deployed large forces and heavy artillery to the Chong Bok area, with some advancing into Thai territory and deploying heavy weapons opposite Thailand.
Sources reveal that the Thai military has informed the government of these actions occurring within Thailand’s jurisdiction. The military has advised closing all Thailand-Cambodia border crossings, warning that failure to act might be seen as tacit approval of illegal border crossings.
However, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon have urged the military not to close border crossings, as authorities are concerned this could impact the economy, particularly cross-border trade, exacerbating Thailand’s domestic economic challenges.