Hun Manet Demands Urgent Border Talks After Soldier Killed

[geovalin]

 

Tensions flared along the Cambodia–Thailand border this weekend as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for immediate talks and proposed international arbitration, following a deadly clash that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier.

 

In a sharp diplomatic move on Sunday evening, Hun Manet instructed the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Border Commission (JBC) to convene urgently, aiming to restart stalled demarcation work and prevent further escalation in contested zones.

 

The call follows a fatal incident on 28 May, in which Cambodian officials accuse Thai troops of opening fire without provocation at a military outpost in Preah Vihear province. Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the act as a “violation of sovereignty” and demanded a full investigation.

 

“These provocations risk fuelling dangerous nationalist sentiment on both sides,” the Prime Minister warned in a statement, adding that while Cambodia remains committed to peace, it will not hesitate to defend its territory “by all means” if threatened.

 

Beyond immediate talks, Hun Manet is now proposing that long-disputed areas—including the temples of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, and Ta Kro Bei—be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This marks a bold shift toward international legal arbitration to resolve tensions rooted in overlapping historical claims.

 

The flashpoints, located in the border provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear, have witnessed repeated clashes over the years. The Cambodian leader argued that extremist groups on both sides are deliberately inflaming tensions, including by posting inflammatory messages online.

 

“To avoid repeating the past, we must end this dispute conclusively,” Hun Manet said, citing maps recognised by the international community and evidence of longstanding Cambodian presence in the region.

 

Despite firm rhetoric, Cambodia continues to emphasise diplomacy. “We are committed to peace,” the Foreign Ministry reiterated, calling for calm while pursuing accountability for the latest incident.

 

With nationalist pressures rising and military posturing on both sides, the coming days will test whether diplomacy can prevail—or whether another border crisis is looming.

 

-2025-06-02