logo
Cambodia breaks promise on border issues: Thai foreign ministry

Cambodia breaks promise on border issues: Thai foreign ministry

Bangkok Post6 days ago
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday blamed Cambodia for breaking its own promise to resolve border issues through a bilateral boundary committee.
The ministry's statement on Sunday followed a reported attempt by Cambodia to bring disputed areas to the United Nations after its approach to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a memorandum of understanding that both countries signed in 2000 clearly stipulates that both sides must discuss border issues through their Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
The MoU does not let them use any other mechanisms – including the ICJ – and Thailand has always followed the MOU strictly as compliance was in accordance with the principles of international laws and treaties, the ministry said.
'Therefore, it is not Thailand that is in violation of the obligations made to one another under international law by using mechanisms outside of what was previously agreed upon,' the ministry said.
Thailand had successfully used the JBC and equivalents to resolve border issues with other neighbouring countries, the ministry said. Its land border negotiations with Laos and Malaysia were 90% completed through their JBC.
'Such mechanisms can be used effectively to produce results if there is a true intention and sincerity in implementing them, without having to rely on external mechanisms such as the ICJ," the Thai ministry said. "In addition to Thailand, this bilateral negotiation method is the same method that, in fact, other neighboring countries of Cambodia use to resolve border issues with Cambodia.'
Therefore, the Thai government called on Cambodia to use the JBC to resolve all border issues including those concerning four contested areas that Cambodia refused to discuss in the JBC meeting, the ministry said.
Cambodia's refusal to discuss the four areas in the JBC 'is considered a violation of the agreement under the MOU of 2000, which clearly states that all border surveys and demarcations must be carried out jointly under the JBC mechanism, without referring the border issue to other mechanisms that have not been agreed upon,' the ministry said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that Thailand had waited and called for Cambodia's turn to host a JBC meeting for 12 years before the meeting happened on June 14 and 15.
'Thailand would like to categorically deny the false accusation that Thailand caused the JBC process to stall. In fact, Thailand has never withdrawn from the process and has always called for it to convene and proceed," the Thai foreign ministry said.
"Therefore, Thailand would like to urge Cambodia to respect the mutual obligation to negotiate peacefully before resorting to other mechanisms beyond the agreed-upon methods in order to resolve the Thai-Cambodian border issue sustainably and to prevent such tensions from recurring in the future and impacting relations between the countries and the people on both sides, especially the people living along the border areas on both sides,'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

China and Asean updating free trade deal
China and Asean updating free trade deal

Bangkok Post

time4 hours ago

  • Bangkok Post

China and Asean updating free trade deal

SHANGHAI - China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed to submit a pact upgrading their free trade areas to their leaders for approval in October, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said on Saturday. Negotiations about the so-called 3.0 version of the free trade zone started in November 2022 and were completed in May, seeking to cover areas such as the digital economy, green economy and supply chain connectivity. China and Asean also agreed on a five-year action plan that specifies collaboration between the two sides in over 40 fields in the coming years, according to a statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing Wang's comments after attending the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Wang also said the two sides agreed to strive to complete consultations next year on a code of conduct in the South China Sea — a set of guidelines aiming to manage disputes in the region, where Beijing and several Asean members have overlapping maritime claims. Work on the code of conduct has proceeded in fits and starts for more than two decades, during which Beijing has effectively taken control of several atolls and islets and built military installations on some of them.

FTI mobilises data from 47 industrial groups to counter US tariff hike
FTI mobilises data from 47 industrial groups to counter US tariff hike

Bangkok Post

time8 hours ago

  • Bangkok Post

FTI mobilises data from 47 industrial groups to counter US tariff hike

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is compiling data from 47 industrial groups for submission to the Ministry of Finance to initiate negotiations in a bid to reduce the retaliatory tariffs and protect Thailand's competitiveness in the US market. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is is gathering data from industrial groups for the Finance Ministry to negotiate lower retaliatory tariffs and protect Thailand's competitiveness in the US of Form The FTI has voiced mounting concern over the United States' imminent enforcement of reciprocal tariffs targeting 22 countries, including Thailand, beginning Aug 1. In the federation's press release on Saturday, FTI chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul said the federation is urgently gathering data from 47 industry groups to submit to the Ministry of Finance, with the aim of initiating negotiations to reduce the retaliatory tariffs and protect Thailand's competitiveness in the US market The urgency follows recent US trade deals with Vietnam and the United Kingdom, where tariffs were cut significantly. Vietnam saw its rates lowered from 46% to 20% for direct exports, and to 40% for transhipped goods under strict Chinese-origin control. The US also slashed tariffs on UK car imports to 10% for a quota of 100,000 vehicles per year and opened its market to British agricultural goods, raising concerns that Thailand may lose its competitive edge unless it secures similar reductions. Negotiations are still underway with China, the European Union (EU) and India. China is currently under a temporary tariff truce set to expire on Aug 12. Recent high-level talks between US and Chinese trade representatives in London concluded with a revised tariff structure: the US will maintain a 55% import duty on Chinese goods, down from 145%, while China will impose a 10% duty on US imports, reduced from 125%. However, the agreement awaits formal endorsement from US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jingping, with no official confirmation yet from Beijing. According to the first quarter of 2025 data, exports account for over 58% of Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP), with industrial goods comprising 47%. The FTI has warned that failure to reduce tariffs could inflate export costs, erode competitiveness and undermine investor confidence. The newly announced 36% tariff on Thai goods could result in export losses estimated between 800 billion and 900 billion baht. In May 2025, Thailand recorded export growth of 18.35% year-on-year, the highest in 38 months, reaching US$31.04 billion. However, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) warned that without policy intervention, exports in the second half of the year could contract by over 10%, bringing full-year growth dangerously close to zero. Mr Kriengkrai said the FTI had discussions with the 47 industry groups and 11 clusters and is in the process of compiling detailed data. Some exporters are attempting to share the tariff burden with US importers and distributors, though this approach has not been universally accepted. He urged the government to push for a tariff reduction to 0% on thousands of affected items and to implement urgent support measures. Sectors hardest hit include machinery and components, electrical machinery—industries heavily reliant on the US market with 28–35% export share—as well as rubber, furniture, auto parts, toys, steel products, leather goods and ceramics. These are all classified as high to very-high risk under the new tariffs. To address the crisis and sustain Thailand's global competitiveness, the FTI outlined four key policy recommendations: 1. Relief measures for affected exporters • Low-interest loans or debt moratoriums. • Corporate income tax reductions for impacted exporters. • Subsidies or reductions in export-related costs such as port service fees, customs procedures, certificates of origin and utilities. • Triple tax deduction for legal expenses incurred in hiring US law firms to negotiate or research trade issues. 2. Market expansion initiatives • Accelerate negotiations of new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). • Promote market diversification via small and medium enterprise (SME) pro-active programmes and trade missions. • Boost domestic consumption by expanding the 'Made in Thailand' (MiT) initiative: - All government agencies should prioritise MiT-certified products. - Tax incentives: Double deductions for MiT-related expenses. - MiT support enhances local content, brand strength, and allows firms to redeem rewards at year-end. 3. Promote local content usage • Enhance current Board of Investment's (BOI) incentives, including corporate tax cuts for firms using over 90% local content. • Boost productivity through technological upgrades and workforce development. 4. Exchange rate stability • Monitor and manage the baht to prevent excessive appreciation against regional currencies. 'This is an unprecedented crisis for Thailand,' said Mr Kriengkrai. 'The FTI is calling on all sectors to work together. With strong collaboration, we can transform this challenge into a turning point for national development and resilience.'

Chaikasem says talk on PM role still 'premature'
Chaikasem says talk on PM role still 'premature'

Bangkok Post

time12 hours ago

  • Bangkok Post

Chaikasem says talk on PM role still 'premature'

Chaikasem Nitisiri, the sole remaining prime ministerial candidate from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, yesterday reaffirmed his readiness to take up the role of prime minister but said it was still too early to seriously consider the matter. He was responding to reporters' questions regarding ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's recent remarks that there would not be a political deadlock and numerous options would still be on the table if the Constitutional Court rules against his daughter, suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, over a leaked phone call with Cambodia. Either Mr Chaikasem would be nominated for the role, or the House of Representatives would be dissolved, Thaksin said in comments marking the 55th anniversary of the Nation Group this week. Mr Chaikasem said there had been no discussions with Thaksin about stepping in and that such speculation was premature. Thaksin is touted as the de facto leader of Pheu Thai. Mr Chaikasem insisted he was in good health and was ready to serve the country while expressing confidence there would be no political impasse as the country has weathered multiple political storms. Ms Paetongtarn has been suspended pending a ruling on her call with Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen during which she disrespected the Thai army. Sorawong Thienthong, secretary-general of Pheu Thai, said the party was hopeful Ms Paetongtarn, also the party leader, would be allowed to continue as premier. People's Party (PP) list-MP Rangsiman Rome urged all parties not to race into a deadlock, saying that dissolving the House to return the mandate to the public would be the best solution. He also criticised Thaksin for portraying the PP as "frightening", adding that what was truly frightening was running the country while thinking only of personal gain and staying above the law.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store