Joint border commission meeting between Thailand and Cambodia scheduled shortly
Headline: Cambodia and Thailand to Discuss Border Issues After Fatal Skirmish
In the heart of Southeast Asia, Cambodia and Thailand are set to meet on June 14 in Phnom Penh, focusing on border disputes following a deadly encounter between their troops in the Emerald Triangle. This region is shared with Laos.
After a brief exchange of gunfire on May 28, both sides have been engaged in intensive dialogues at all levels. Kam Sounry, Cambodia's foreign affairs spokesperson, affirmed their dedication to settlements through peaceful means and technical mechanisms according to international law.
Following a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on May 30, foreign ministers agreed to uphold the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations, focusing on border survey and demarcation, and to utilize existing mechanisms.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for an emergency meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Commission to resume border demarcation work and mitigate rising tensions. He also proposed referring unresolved temple disputes to the International Court of Justice, a decision supported by both houses of the National Assembly and Senate.
On the side of Thailand, the Prime Minister's Office stated they will resolve the issue bilaterally while maintaining open lines of communication to prevent misunderstandings between the populace of the two countries. They emphasized their commitment to resolving disputes peacefully based on international law.
Adding to the regional tension, the recent dispute centers around a 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. The incident serves as a stark reminder of ongoing territorial debates between the two nations.
The Cambodian spokesperson stressed Cambodia's mission to transform border areas with neighboring countries into zones of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development for mutual benefits. With six permanent and ten temporary checkpoints along their shared border, tensions have escalated in recent weeks, leaving citizens anxiously awaiting moves toward resolution.
Source:[China Daily - Asia News Network]
Tags
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- border
- Preah Vihear Temple
- Phnom Penh
- gunfire
- fatal incident
Bonus Insights
For a clearer understanding of the cause behind this territorial dispute, it's essential to delve into the political history between both nations. Cambodia claims Thailand has encroached on its territory, specifically in the Preah Vihear Temple area, citing a 1962 ICJ ruling [1]. However, Thailand has long contested the ruling and does not recognize ICJ jurisdiction in this matter. The prolonged dispute has led to military skirmishes in the past, with the latest one proving fatal.
In an attempt to maintain healthy diplomatic relations in the wake of this unfortunate incident, both countries are making efforts to deescalate tensions through peaceful dialogue [2]. This recent encounter has also highlighted the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic and legal means to prevent repeated episodes of violence and maintain regional stability.
[1]: "The Preah Vihear Temple Dispute: A Legal and Historical Analysis" - Journal of International Dispute Settlement (2022)[2]: "Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Peaceful Resolution through Diplomatic Dialogue" - The Nation (2022)
- The upcoming meeting between Cambodia and Thailand in Phnom Penh on June 14 will focus on addressing border disputes, with both nations committed to settlements through peaceful means and adherence to international law.
- The disagreement over the Preah Vihear temple, a 900-year-old site, has been a persistent topic of debate between the two nations, leading to a recent fatal skirmish and escalating tensions.
- The General News and Policy-and-Legislation spheres are abuzz with discussions surrounding the diplomatic maneuvers of both countries, as they strive to resolve the issue peacefully, using the International Court of Justice if necessary, as proposed by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet.
- Despite the ongoing border issue, both Thailand and Cambodia have shown a commitment to transforming their shared border areas into zones of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, as stated by the Cambodian foreign affairs spokesperson.
