Thailand says 'progress made' in Cambodia border dispute talks in Phnom Penh
Thailand's Border Affairs Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prasas Prasasvinitchai attends the meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Saturday June 14, 2025. -- Photo: Agence Kampuchea Press via REUTERS
BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH (AFP): Thailand said Saturday talks with neighbour Cambodia had "made progress" in resolving a long-running border dispute that last month devolved into clashes.
Troops from the two countries exchanged fire on May 28 in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet, with one Cambodian soldier killed.
The Thai and Cambodian armies both said they had acted in self-defence, but agreed to reposition their soldiers to avoid confrontations.
Thailand has tightened border controls with Cambodia in recent days, while Cambodia ordered troops on Friday to stay on "full alert".
Officials from the two countries had agreed to resolve the spat at a Saturday meeting in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.
Foreign ministry adviser Prasas Prasasvinitchai was leading the Thai delegation, while Lam Chea, minister of state in charge of the Secretariat of Border Affairs, headed the Cambodian contingent.
Thailand's foreign ministry on Saturday said the meeting had "made progress in building mutual understanding" between the two countries.
Thai foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said in a press conference that "diplomatic dialogue remains the most effective way forward", adding that talks would go into Sunday.
The row dates to the drawing of the 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier, largely done during the French occupation of Indochina.
The region has seen sporadic violence since 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced earlier this month that Cambodia would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over four disputed border areas, including the site of the latest clash.
Hun Manet said in a Facebook post Friday that the four areas and the border restrictions would not be discussed at Saturday's talks.
"Cambodia awaits Thailand to clarify its official position at (Saturday's) meeting on whether Thailand will join Cambodia in referring the four areas to the ICJ," he said.
The ICJ ruled in 2013 that a disputed area next to Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, but Thailand says it does not accept the ICJ's jurisdiction. - AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
24 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Discovery of large 'bomber drones' causes concern among Thai security forces
KOTA BARU: Two large drones were discovered buried in the ground in Sadao district near Songkhla about 2.5km from the Malaysian border on June 12. The discovery of the drones, which authorities confirmed had been modified to carry out aerial bombings, had raised serious concern among Thai security agencies. According to a Thai security spokesman in an official Facebook posting, local authorities were focusing on two key theories following the discovery. It is believed that the drones were either intended for a terror attack on an economic or security area, or used to protect cross-border smuggling operations, particularly along the Thai-Malaysian border. The spokesman said the drones were found on June 12 at 7pm in Moo 2, Rai Ok village, Samnak Kham area. "A joint team comprising soldiers from the 5th Infantry Task Force, local police, border patrol police, EOD units and forensic teams from Region 9 were deployed to the scene the next day. "Initial inspection revealed that the drones had been modified for combat use, equipped with a 60mm mortar launch system with six tubes, as well as a separate launcher for improvised explosive devices. "However, no explosives were found at the scene," said the spokesman. The spokesman said a forensics team had collected evidence and latent fingerprints and sent the drones to the Sadao police station for further investigations. Another Thai security force said the drones were capable of flying at altitudes of up to 800 metres, with a range of 8km to 10km, and could carry a payload of 10kg to 15kg. "Their flight systems were found to include a GPS home-point locking system, allowing for precise launch and return coordination," said the spokesman. Thai security agencies had started investigations on the origins of the attack drones and their investigations had found links to criminal groups.
The Star
41 minutes ago
- The Star
Cambodia seeks ICJ help over Thai border dispute: PM
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice to help resolve a Thai border dispute that turned into a bloody military clash last month, Prime Minister Hun Manet (pic) said Sunday (June 15). One Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 as troops exchanged fire in a disputed area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. The Thai and Cambodian armies both said they had acted in self-defence, but agreed to reposition their soldiers to avoid confrontations. Thailand has tightened border controls with Cambodia in recent days, while Cambodia ordered troops on Friday to stay on "full alert" and banned Thai dramas from TV and cinemas. Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Sunday that "Cambodia submitted an official letter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to seek a resolution on the border dispute" in four areas - the site of last month's clash and three ancient temples. "Cambodia chooses international law and peace," the Cambodian leader said. "Cambodia only needs justice, fairness and clarity in border demarcation and delimitation with our neighbouring countries, so that our future generations will not continue to have issues with each other." Hun Manet said Friday his government was waiting to hear from Thailand whether it would join Cambodia in its bid to refer the dispute to the ICJ. The row dates back to the drawing of the countries' 800-kilometre frontier in the early 20th century during the French occupation of Indochina. Cambodia has previously sought help from the ICJ in a territorial dispute over a border temple. The court ruled the area belonged to Cambodia, but Thailand said it did not accept the court's jurisdiction. Violence sparked by the dispute has led to 28 deaths in the region since 2008. Officials from the two countries met in Phnom Penh on Saturday over the border spat and Thailand's foreign ministry said the meeting had "made progress in building mutual understanding". More meetings are due on Sunday. - AFP
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Military parade draws Trump fans and critics to US capital
A military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. – AP WASHINGTON (AFP): Parachutists glided through the air as soldiers marched and tanks groaned through the barricaded streets of Washington on Saturday (June 14) during a military parade long-coveted by US President Donald Trump, as a largely quiet crowd watched on. On the National Mall, enclosed within almost 32km of high-security fencing, nearly 7,000 soldiers and about 150 military vehicles paraded to intermittent cheers. Rain had threatened to wash out the event but it never came, much to the relief of those lining the four-lane street that runs past the White House, where Trump stood watching and frequently saluting the passing troops. The crowd was mostly quiet as soldiers in uniforms dating back to the 1700s marched past, bar the occasional shouts of "Thank you, Army!" that spurred cheers and whoops. Many wore Trump's signature red "Make America Great Again" baseball caps, but others attending made clear they supported the Army – but opposed the norm-bending president. "Personally, I'm not a fan of Trump, but I'm a fan of the Army," said Andrew Smith, 24, whose brother serves in the military. "I feel like we can separate politics and what we stand for, and then hopefully get along," he added. Beat Fascism! Marty Wrin echoed the sentiments expressed among the crowds of protesters gathered outside the parade area in Washington, and around the country Saturday. "I'm proud to be American," insisted the 56-year-old IT worker from Washington, wearing a hat saying "resist" and holding a sign saying "Go Army. Beat Fascism!" "I'm proud of our democracy, and I'm worried about our democracy right now for the first time in my life," he told AFP. Wrin said he was impressed by the parade, but did not like something he associated with dictatorships happening on US streets. "It's the Army being used by Trump to make himself feel more powerful," he said. With cloudy skies overhead, people stood on tiptoes to catch a glimpse of the military gear on display. Several children sat on their parents' shoulders to get a better view and waved back to soldiers sitting atop tanks and other armoured vehicles. Michele Sabat, who said she had attended several past Trump rallies, told AFP she was thrilled that she had travelled from Pennsylvania to watch the parade. "I wanted to honour the military, I feel it's the right thing to do. They protect us, they save us, and you've got to respect them," the retired 68-year-old said. She sat on a curb next to Camila Rodriguez, 30, watching as thousands of troops marched by in the largest such parade in decades. Rodriguez, an auditor from Boston, said she was impressed by what she saw. "All the troops... There's so many of them. So anything to support them," she said. "I will always be here for that." – AFP
