Thailand calls for bilateral talks on border issue, as Cambodia prepares ICJ case

The Star

4 days ago

Prime Minister Hun Manet met with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra in April in Cambodia. - STPM
PHNOM PENH: The Thai government is advocating for bilateral negotiations to address ongoing border disputes with Cambodia, with the recommendation that existing mechanisms such as the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), the General Border Committee (GBC) and regional border committee be used to resolve the issue.
In a statement issued on Wednesday (June 4) morning, the Thai government announced that Cambodia has agreed to a proposed meeting in Cambodia on June 14 to discuss the issue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation confirmed that Cambodia will host a meeting on the said date.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced plans to bring the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking a resolution for four contested areas: Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabei and the Mum Bei area, known as the Emerald Triangle.
In their statement, the Thai government said they adhere to the principle of resolving conflicts through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles.
'Regarding Cambodia's position on potentially using court mechanisms or third parties to consider this matter, Thailand as Cambodia's neighbour is committed to resolving issues peacefully based on international law, treaties and various agreements such as the 2000 memorandum of understanding and various pieces of evidence, including satellite images,' it said.
Regarding the brief exchange of fire on May 28, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, Thailand claimed that its forces acted in self-defence.
'We are confident that Thailand and Cambodia can resolve issues together as good neighbours, ensuring the safety and well-being of people along the border and fostering the familial spirit of Asean member states,' the statement added.
On June 1, the Cambodian prime minister said they would invite Thailand to join them in bringing a joint case to the ICJ during the coming meeting. The following day, he doubled down, making it clear that Cambodia will bring the disputes to ICJ, 'whether Thailand want it or not'.
The announcement earned support from the public in Cambodia, as well as former Prime Minister Hun Sen, the president of the Senate. He said Cambodia and Thailand had worked together on the 2000 MoU for 25 years without any tangible results beyond a few measured boundary markers.
Now that Thailand had urged bilateral mechanism, public sentiment in Cambodia has pushed the government to pursue a judicial resolution through ICJ for expedited closure.
In a National Assembly, Senate Congress on June 2, the two top lawmaking bodies supported the government's decision to bring the case to ICJ. They also condemned the attack on Cambodian soldiers.
'The assembly condemns the illegal attack by Thai troops on Cambodian troops in the Mom Bei area of ​​Cambodian territory on the morning of May 28. This attack was a serious violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia,' it said.
'The assembly endorses resolving these issues at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to decisively settle the matter, with a unanimous vote of 182 out of 182 members on June 2. The assembly also strongly backs Prime Minister Hun Manet's statement, 'We must extinguish the fire rather than fan the flames'', it added.
The members of Cambodia's top two administrative bodies also urged the importance of maintaining good relation between the two neighbouring Kingdoms, as well as de-escalating the disputes and making use of all bilateral relations possible. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN