Cambodia-Thailand Border Meeting Ends in ICJ Warning

[geovalin]

 

Cambodia has formally urged Thailand to settle a long-running border dispute at the International Court of Justice, following the latest session of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary and Demarcation Committee (JBC), held this weekend in Phnom Penh.

 

In an official statement released on 15 June, Cambodia’s State Secretariat for Border Affairs confirmed that the two-day meeting ended with agreement on four key agenda items, including steps to advance technical mapping and on-site boundary surveys. However, tensions surfaced over four disputed temple zones: Mom Bei, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, and Ta Krabei.

 

Cambodian minister Lam Chea called on his Thai counterpart, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, to jointly submit the matter to the ICJ. He warned that Cambodia would proceed unilaterally if Thailand continues to reject the court’s jurisdiction. He also declared that these sites would no longer be discussed within the JBC framework.

 

Despite the strong stance, Lam reiterated Cambodia’s broader commitment to peaceful resolution and cooperation. He emphasised the country’s willingness to continue joint demarcation efforts outside the disputed zones, in line with the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, which is grounded in colonial-era Franco-Siamese treaties and shared mapping standards.

 

Cambodia also made clear its refusal to recognise any Thai-drawn maps not mutually agreed upon, citing them as the root of ongoing and future disputes.

 

The meeting ended with a signing of the minutes and a pledge to reconvene in September. While talks were described as cordial, Cambodia’s ICJ push signals a harder line that could redefine future negotiations.

 

-2025-06-16