Report Thailand and Cambodia Make Conflicting Claims After Contentious JBC Meeting

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Photo via Facebook/ กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand

 

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have intensified following conflicting statements made after the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting held in Phnom Penh on June 15. The ongoing dispute is centered around the contested border area known as Chon Bok in Thailand and the Emerald Triangle in Cambodia, where military forces from both nations recently clashed.

 

The area has long been a point of contention due to historical disputes over its ownership. Thailand asserts that the territory is part of its sovereign domain, while Cambodia claims rightful ownership, extending to historical landmarks in Thailand’s Surin province: Prasat Ta Muean Thom, Prasat Ta Khwai, and Prasat Ta Muen Tod.

 

During the JBC meeting, Cambodia proposed that the matter be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This proposal follows the court's previous ruling that the Temple of Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. However, Thailand has firmly rejected the idea of ICJ intervention. According to TNN news agency, Thai officials have advocated for resolving the issue through mutual respect and the mechanisms of the JBC.

 

The meeting, held from June 14 to 15, aimed to reduce escalating tensions. However, differing narratives soon emerged. Cambodia's Secretariat of the Cabinet claimed in a statement that Cambodia reiterated its resolve to take the dispute over the Emerald Triangle and other landmarks to the ICJ and urged Thailand to comply. They also claimed both sides had agreed to use a 1:200,000 scale map for determining ownership, rejecting a Thai-drawn map.

 

In immediate response, the Thai government issued an official rejection of Cambodia’s claims. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted no such discussions occurred, emphasizing the use of a 1:50,000 scale map consistent with international standards. The ministry stated the meeting focused on technical procedures for aerial photographic mapping, part of the boundary survey's second phase under the master plan.

 

The Thai government expressed disappointment with Cambodia's refusal to resolve tensions through bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has called an urgent meeting to discuss the JBC session's outcome and to determine Thailand's next steps in addressing the ongoing dispute. The meeting underscores Thailand's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the border conflict while maintaining its territorial claims.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-16