Latest news with #borderdispute
CNA
6 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
Thailand urges positive engagement after Cambodia threatens to take dispute to World Court
BANGKOK: Thailand called on Cambodia to engage positively in efforts to settle a longstanding border dispute, stressing on Thursday (Jun 5) it did not recognise the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice after its neighbour said it would refer the issue to the World Court. The two countries have for days made statements committing to dialogue while vowing to protect their sovereignty following a May 28 border skirmish between troops in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. Deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thailand last erupted in 2011 over Preah Vihear, an ancient temple at the heart of a decades-long dispute that has stirred nationalist sentiment on both sides. "Thailand has not recognised compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ since 1960. Thailand and Cambodia already have existing bilateral mechanisms to address these issues," Thailand's government said in a statement. Cambodia last week accused Thai troops of opening fire on a trench that had served as a Cambodian army base. Thailand's military described the incident as a misunderstanding at an undemarcated border area and said its soldiers were forced to engage after coming under fire. Although the two countries have a historic rivalry, their governments enjoy warm ties, partly due to the close relationship between their influential former leaders, Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen, whose daughter and son, respectively, are now prime ministers. Cambodia's government, in a statement late on Wednesday, said the recent clash underscored the limitations of its dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing "longstanding points of contention". It said ICJ referral to settle disputes over four border areas was therefore necessary. It did not say when it would initiate proceedings. "These four areas have long remained unresolved and sensitive, with the potential to escalate tensions if unaddressed," it said, stressing it was committed to dialogue and diplomacy. "Cambodia expresses its hope that Thailand will cooperate in jointly referring this case to the ICJ." The two countries are due to meet for talks on Jun 14. A small protest took place on Thursday outside Thailand's defence ministry and an activist group has planned a demonstration outside the Cambodian embassy on Friday "to protect the land of Thailand".
Reuters
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Thailand urges positive engagement after Cambodia threatens to take dispute to World Court
BANGKOK, June 5 (Reuters) - Thailand called on Cambodia to engage positively in efforts to settle a longstanding border dispute, stressing on Thursday it did not recognise the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice after its neighbour said it would refer the issue to the World Court. The two countries have for days made statements committing to dialogue while vowing to protect their sovereignty following a May 28 border skirmish between troops in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. Deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thailand last erupted in 2011 over Preah Vihear, an ancient temple at the heart of a decades-long dispute that has stirred nationalist sentiment on both sides. "Thailand has not recognised compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ since 1960. Thailand and Cambodia already have existing bilateral mechanisms to address these issues," Thailand's government said in a statement. Cambodia last week accused Thai troops of opening fire on a trench that had served as a Cambodian army base. Thailand's military described the incident as a misunderstanding at an undemarcated border area and said its soldiers were forced to engage after coming under fire. Although the two countries have a historic rivalry, their governments enjoy warm ties, partly due to the close relationship between their influential former leaders, Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen, whose daughter and son respectively are now prime ministers. Cambodia's government, in a statement late on Wednesday, said the recent clash underscored the limitations of their dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing "longstanding points of contention". It said ICJ referral to settle disputes over four border areas was therefore necessary. It did not say when it would initiate proceedings. "These four areas have long remained unresolved and sensitive, with the potential to escalate tensions if unaddressed," it said, stressing it was committed to dialogue and diplomacy. "Cambodia expresses its hope that Thailand will cooperate in jointly referring this case to the ICJ." The two countries are due to meet for talks on June 14. A small protest took place on Thursday outside Thailand's defence ministry and an activist group has planned a demonstration outside the Cambodian embassy on Friday "to protect the land of Thailand". Cambodia in its statement urged its people to show calm and restraint, underlining the importance of protecting relations with Thailand.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Thailand, Cambodia to meet June 14 over deadly border clash, seek peaceful resolution
BANGKOK, June 4 — The Thai government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving its border issues with Cambodia through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and relevant treaties and agreements. In an official statement issued Wednesday, the government said this includes through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and General Border Committee (GBC). 'This commitment is grounded in international law, relevant treaties and agreements such as the Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary (MOU 2000), as well as supporting evidence, including satellite imagery,' it said. The official position was issued following a brief gunfight in Thailand's north-eastern Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's northern Preah Vihear province, where one Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed, and Cambodia's announcement that it plans to bring the border dispute before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In response to reports that Cambodia may consider resorting to judicial mechanisms or third-party mediation on this matter, Thailand, as Cambodia's neighbour, said it remains committed to resolving bilateral issues through peaceful means. The statement added that, in response to Thailand's request, Cambodia has agreed to host a JBC meeting on June 14. 'All relevant agencies have exerted their utmost efforts, in line with the appropriate processes, to safeguard Thailand's sovereignty and legal rights,' the Thai government said. It also affirmed that the overall situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains calm. The government expressed confidence that Thailand and Cambodia could resolve their issues based on principles of good neighbourliness, the safety and well-being of border communities, and the shared values of the Asean family. It urged Cambodia to cooperate by exercising maximum restraint, reducing tensions on the ground, and providing accurate information to the public to prevent misunderstandings between the peoples of both nations. — Bernama
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Hun Sen urges ICJ intervention in Cambodia-Thailand border row, warns of Gaza-like conflict
PHNOM PENH, June 3 — Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has called for a resolution of the long-standing border dispute with Thailand through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), warning that continued inaction could lead to a conflict resembling the Gaza Strip. Speaking at a joint session of Cambodia's Senate and National Assembly commissions on Sunday, Hun Sen also declared the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations 'no longer applicable' due to the lack of progress over 25 years, according to a report in The Nation. He stressed that Cambodia had made a courteous invitation for Thailand to jointly submit the case to the ICJ, hoping for a diplomatic and peaceful resolution. 'Cambodia will not violate the territory of other nations,' he said, adding that the country is merely seeking to protect borders inherited from the French colonial era and preserved under King Norodom Sihanouk. He revealed that recent clashes along the border had resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier, further heightening the urgency of resolving the issue. Hun Sen warned that if violence were to escalate, Cambodia would immediately appeal to the United Nations Security Council for intervention. During the same session, the joint commission unanimously backed the government's plan to bring the dispute before the World Court. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed the government's determination to proceed with the ICJ case, regardless of whether Thailand agrees to participate. He also called on all Cambodian politicians and the public to support the armed forces, as talks under the Joint Boundary Commission continue.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Cambodia says it will seek World Court ruling on border disputes with Thailand that led to clash
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia's government says it plans to seek a ruling from the U.N.'s International Court of Justice over border disputes with neighboring Thailand, one of which triggered a fatal military clash last week. Cambodia's National Assembly, where Prime Minister Hun Manet's ruling Cambodian People's Party holds all but a handful of seats, voted on Monday to support the government's decision. A 1962 ruling by the same court , awarding to Cambodia the disputed territory on which a historic temple is located, rankled Thailand and to this day remains a major irritant in bilateral relations. Thai officials did not immediately respond to Cambodia's intention to seek a ruling from the court, which is located in The Hague in the Netherlands and also known as the World Court. Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said Sunday that Thailand's actions at the border were proportionate and in line with domestic and international law. He said the situation at the border remained calm, and that both sides agreed to find solutions to ease the tension as soon as possible. The brief May 28 clash near Morokot village, in Cambodia's northwestern province of Preah Vihear, in which one Cambodian soldier was killed, began when Cambodian troops were conducting a routine patrol along the border when the Thai side opened fire, the Cambodian side says. The Thai army says that Cambodian soldiers entered a disputed patch of land and opened fire when Thai soldiers approached them to negotiate. Hun Manet in social media posts on Sunday declared that his government will ask the court to rule on the demarcation of several disputed areas, including where the centuries-old Hindu-style Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Kro Bei temples are located. In February, Cambodian troops and their family members entered the Ta Moan Thom temple in disputed territory and sang the Cambodian national anthem, leading to a brief argument with Thai forces. After last week's flare-up, both sides quickly called for calm and talks to ease their differences, while reserving the right to use military action to safeguard their sovereignty. On Thursday, the two countries' army commanders met to discuss how to avoid more clashes On Monday, Hun Manet called for the two countries to have their Joint Border Commission continue the work of border demarcation, as well as having the World Court take up the issue. Hun Manet's announced intention to appeal to the World Court may touch a raw nerve in Thailand, because the 1962 ruling awarding the major Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia is a touchstone issue for Thai nationalists. and wielded in domestic politics. Last year, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinatwatra's government was attacked on nationalist grounds for proposing to resume talks with Cambodia on demarcation of maritime territory believed to hold profitable hydrocarbon resources. In 2008, there were several deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thai forces at the Preah Vihear promontory, an area on which sits a 1,000-year-old temple that was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that same year. In 2013, the World Court reaffirmed its 1962 ruling . Hun Manet, speaking Monday to Cambodia lawmakers, said his government would take the cases of the other disputed areas to the World Court to determine ownership even if Thailand did not join in the appeal, in order 'to end this problem and extinguish it once and for all so that there is no further confusion.' 'In particular, let's not fall for the incitement of a handful of extremist groups in Cambodia and Thailand, and let's not fall into the problem of confrontation by armed forces of the two countries,' he said. ——- Associated Press writer Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok contributed to this report.
