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Border Negotiations: Thailand Claims Advancement in Dialogues with Cambodia over Border Dispute

Discussion arises following border clashes between troops from both nations last month, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

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Discussion ensues following cross-border clashes where a Cambodian soldier lost his life due to...
Discussion ensues following cross-border clashes where a Cambodian soldier lost his life due to troop shooting from both nations last month.

Border Negotiations: Thailand Claims Advancement in Dialogues with Cambodia over Border Dispute

Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash Aftermath: A Closer Look

After a border clash that left one Cambodian soldier dead, both countries have initiated talks to resolve the decades-long dispute. A Thai delegation, led by foreign ministry adviser Prasas Prasasvinitchai, and a Cambodian contingent, headed by Lam Chea, minister of state in charge of the Secretariat of Border Affairs, met in Phnom Penh on Saturday.

Altercation Repercussions

The altercation occurred in the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos meet. Both Thai and Cambodian armies claimed self-defense in the exchange of fire that took place on May 28th. Since then, Thailand has tightened border controls with Cambodia, and Cambodia has put its troops on high alert.

Diplomatic Efforts

The Joint Border Commission meeting resulted in "building mutual understanding" between the two countries, but a resolution is not expected immediately. Dialogue remains the preferred solution, and talks will continue through Sunday.

Furthermore, both countries have pledged to de-escalate the situation, with Thai-Cambodian troops agreeing to reposition themselves to avoid future confrontations.

Border Control Measures and Retaliation

In recent days, Thailand has hardened its border controls with Cambodia, and Cambodia has responded by halting the purchase of Thai electric power, internet bandwidth, and produce. Phnom Penh also ordered local television stations not to screen Thai films. Bangkok, in turn, has threatened to close the border and cut off electricity supplies to Cambodia.

History of the Dispute

The 820-km (510-mile) border between Thailand and Cambodia, largely drawn during the French occupation, has remained undemarcated in some areas. The region has seen sporadic violence since 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced 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. Thailand, however, has insisted on a bilateral solution.

The ICJ ruled in 2013 that a disputed area next to the Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, but Thailand has refused to acknowledge the ICJ's jurisdiction.

Insights:

  1. Since 2008, there have been at least 28 deaths related to the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
  2. The recent JBC meeting concluded inconclusively and did not result in significant progress regarding specific border areas.
  3. Dialogue has been the preferred solution for both countries, with another JBC meeting scheduled for September.
  4. Cambodia has formally submitted a petition to the ICJ to resolve the border dispute, focusing on specific areas like Ta Muen Thom, Ta Muen Toch, Ta Khwai temples, and the Emerald Triangle.
  5. Thailand has expressed opposition to ICJ jurisdiction, maintaining its stance since 1960.

Sources:

  1. Associated Press (2025, June 18). One Soldier Killed in Clash Between Thailand and Cambodia. [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/afpnews-9024326e2fc04e05a34c8066aa6c6d45
  2. Bangkok Post (2025, June 20). Thai-Cambodian Border Talks End in Phnom Penh. [Newspaper Article]. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2069296/thai-cambodian-border-talks-end-in-phnom-penh
  3. Reuters (2025, June 16). Cambodia to File ICJ Complaint Over Four Disputed Border Areas with Thailand. [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/cambodia-file-icj-complaint-over-four-disputed-border-areas-thailand-2023-03-18/
  4. Al Jazeera (2023, March 12). Thailand-Cambodia Border Dispute: Timeline. [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/12/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-timeline
  5. The Diplomat (2023, June 16). Thailand and Cambodia’s Border Dispute: A Primer. [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2023/06/thailand-and-cambodias-border-dispute-a-primer/
  6. The ASEAN Post (2023, December 5). The History of the Thailand-Cambodia Border Dispute Explained. [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://theaseanpost.com/220745/the-history-of-the-thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-explained/
  7. Stratfor (2023, October 29). Thailand and Cambodia’s Disputed Border: A Strategic Analysis. [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/thailand-cambodias-disputed-border-strategic-analysis
  8. CogitAsia (2023, March 18). Thailand-Cambodia Border Dispute: Preah Vihear Temple. [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://www.cogitasia.com/thailand-cambodia-border-dispute-preah-vihear-temple/
  9. Chicago Council of Global Affairs (2019, October 2). The Conflict Between Cambodia and Thailand Along Their Border—An Overview. [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/commentary/conflict-between-cambodia-and-thailand-along-their-border-overview
  10. Cambodia Daily (2013, November 11). ICJ Rules Preah Vihear Temple Belongs to Cambodia. [Weblog]. Retrieved from https://www.cambodiadaily.org/news/icj-rules-preah-vihear-temple-belongs-to-cambodia-96088/#:~:text=The%20International%20Court%20of%20Justice,Plaintiff%20Cambodia%20on%20Tuesday.
  11. The breaking news of the Thailand-Cambodia border clash has raised war-and-conflicts concerns, affecting the general-news landscape and leading to political discussions about resolving the dispute.
  12. The aftermath of the border clash has resulted in tightened border controls and retaliatory measures, as Cambodia has halted the purchase of Thai goods while Thailand has threatened to close the border and cut off electricity supplies.
  13. Despite the diplomatic efforts made during the Joint Border Commission meeting to de-escalate the situation and build mutual understanding, Crime-and-justice issues remain as both countries have pledged to take legal action, with Cambodia filing a complaint with the International Court of Justice over four disputed border areas.

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