Cambodia holds ground on ICJ resolution of border issue; subject off table for June 14 talks with Thailand

The Star

2 days ago

PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian government has reiterated its commitment to bring issues surrounding four contested areas — Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabei and the Mum Bei area — to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). As it plans to bring this matter before the court, it will not discuss them during upcoming June 14 bilateral talks with Thailand.
'While pursuing legal resolution at the ICJ, the Royal Cambodian Government remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy,' said a statement, issued earlier today, June 5.
'Cambodia will continue to engage through existing bilateral frameworks and will host the next meeting of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) on 14 June 2025 in Phnom Penh,' it added.
The announcement comes in the wake of the Thai government's advocacy for the use of bilateral negotiations to resolve border disputes with Cambodia, suggesting the use of existing mechanisms like the JBC and the General Border Committee (GBC).
In a June 4 statement, the Thai government announced that Cambodia had agreed to host a June 24 meeting to discuss the issue, which was confirmed by Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
'However, given the referral to the ICJ, the four aforementioned areas will not be included on the agenda of the upcoming JBC session,' reiterated the Cambodian response.
It added that Cambodia has maintained a foreign policy focused on peace, friendship and cooperation, particularly with neighbouring countries.
Since independence, with the exception the rule of the Khmer Rouge regime, Cambodia has remained committed to transforming its shared borders into zones of peace and development.
Despite some challenges, the statement noted that Cambodia has prioritised the peaceful resolution of border issues, even amid tensions and the tragic loss of life of soldiers defending national sovereignty.
'The Cambodian government's unwavering dedication to peaceful resolution is evident in its historical conduct, including the referral of disputes to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ruled in Cambodia's favour in 1962 and again in 2013 in our border disputes with Thailand,' it said.
'These actions reflect our deep commitment to international law and the peaceful resolution of conflicts,' it added.
A brief exchange of fire on May 28, saw a Cambodian soldier killed, in the disputed area of Techo Morokot, in Preah Vihear province. The Cambodian government insists that the Thai troops opened fire first.
'The Royal Government of Cambodia has lodged a formal protest against this unprovoked use of force, which constitutes a serious violation of Cambodia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principles of good neighbourliness as enshrined in the 2000 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between our two nations,' explained the Cambodian statement.
It described the tragic incident as highlighting the 'limitations of current dispute resolution mechanisms along the shared border'.
To secure a fair and sustainable solution, on June 2 the government resolved to refer the dispute over four sensitive areas—Mom Bei, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Taouch and Ta Krabei Temples—to the IJC.
These areas have long been unresolved and could escalate tensions if not addressed, it warned.
'This decision received unanimous support from the First Joint Congress of the National Assembly and Senate, the same day,' said the statement.
Cambodia expressed hope that Thailand would cooperate in jointly referring the case to the ICJ, in the spirit of fairness, trust-building, long-term friendship and good neighbourliness.
However, it noted that if cooperation was not forthcoming, Cambodia was prepared to proceed independently.
The government urged all Cambodians to approach the issue with calm and restraint, advising them to refrain from turning it into a matter of ethnic or nationalist sentiment.
'We emphasise the importance of maintaining normal relations with Thailand, especially in trade, tourism and broader areas of cooperation, for the mutual benefit of our peoples,' it said.
The Cambodian government has reiterated its commitment to bring issues surrounding four contested areas — Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabei and the Mum Bei area — to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
As it plans to bring this matter before the court, it will not discuss them during upcoming June 14 bilateral talks with Thailand.
'While pursuing legal resolution at the ICJ, the Royal Cambodian Government remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy,' said a statement, issued earlier today, June 5.
'Cambodia will continue to engage through existing bilateral frameworks and will host the next meeting of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) on 14 June 2025 in Phnom Penh,' it added.
The announcement comes in the wake of the Thai government's advocacy for the use of bilateral negotiations to resolve border disputes with Cambodia, suggesting the use of existing mechanisms like the JBC and the General Border Committee (GBC).
In a June 4 statement, the Thai government announced that Cambodia had agreed to host a June 24 meeting to discuss the issue, which was confirmed by Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
'However, given the referral to the ICJ, the four aforementioned areas will not be included on the agenda of the upcoming JBC session,' reiterated the Cambodian response.
It added that Cambodia has maintained a foreign policy focused on peace, friendship and cooperation, particularly with neighbouring countries.
Since independence, with the exception the rule of the Khmer Rouge regime, Cambodia has remained committed to transforming its shared borders into zones of peace and development.
Despite some challenges, the statement noted that Cambodia has prioritised the peaceful resolution of border issues, even amid tensions and the tragic loss of life of soldiers defending national sovereignty.
'The Cambodian government's unwavering dedication to peaceful resolution is evident in its historical conduct, including the referral of disputes to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ruled in Cambodia's favour in 1962 and again in 2013 in our border disputes with Thailand,' it said.
'These actions reflect our deep commitment to international law and the peaceful resolution of conflicts,' it added.
A brief exchange of fire on May 28, saw a Cambodian soldier killed, in the disputed area of Techo Morokot, in Preah Vihear province. The Cambodian government insist that the Thai troops opened fire first.
'The Royal Government of Cambodia has lodged a formal protest against this unprovoked use of force, which constitutes a serious violation of Cambodia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principles of good neighbourliness as enshrined in the 2000 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between our two nations,' explained the Cambodian statement.
It described the tragic incident as highlighting the 'limitations of current dispute resolution mechanisms along the shared border'.
To secure a fair and sustainable solution, on June 2 the government resolved to refer the dispute over four sensitive areas—Mom Bei, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Taouch and Ta Krabei Temples—to the IJC.
These areas have long been unresolved and could escalate tensions if not addressed, it warned.
'This decision received unanimous support from the First Joint Congress of the National Assembly and Senate, the same day,' said the statement.
Cambodia expressed hope that Thailand would cooperate in jointly referring the case to the ICJ, in the spirit of fairness, trust-building, long-term friendship and good neighbourliness.
However, it noted that if cooperation was not forthcoming, Cambodia was prepared to proceed independently.
The government urged all Cambodians to approach the issue with calm and restraint, advising them to refrain from turning it into a matter of ethnic or nationalist sentiment.
'We emphasise the importance of maintaining normal relations with Thailand, especially in trade, tourism and broader areas of cooperation, for the mutual benefit of our peoples,' it said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN