Cambodia's Prime Minister Warns of Escalating Border Conflict with Thailand
Prime Minister Hun Sen Warns Severely About Border Dispute with Thailand, Advocates for International Court Intervention
In a bold move, Cambodia's Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen has called for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to intervene in the ongoing border dispute with Thailand.
Hun Sen issued a stern warning, stating that failure to resolve the dispute could potentially lead to a conflict akin to the one in Gaza. He accused Thailand of hiding something if they continue to avoid the ICJ approach.
During a joint meeting of Cambodia's Senate and National Assembly commissions on June 2nd, 2025, Hun Sen announced the termination of a 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries due to the dispute's lack of resolution over the past 25 years.
He elaborated on the tragedy of a Cambodian soldier's death during a recent border clash and expressed his concern about the situation becoming a never-ending conflict if they do not seek the court's decision.
The government's approach to taking the matter to the World Court was endorsed by the joint commission of the National Assembly and Senate. If violence were to break out, Cambodia would immediately appeal to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for urgent intervention.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet also reaffirmed the government's resolve to proceed with submitting the dispute to the ICJ, regardless of Thailand's agreement. Despite ongoing negotiations through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), he encouraged Cambodian politicians and the public to support the armed forces.
The ICJ previously awarded Cambodia disputed territory in 1962 and reaffirmed this ruling in 2013. However, Thailand does not accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ and prefers to resolve disputes bilaterally through mechanisms like the JBC and Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee.
The scheduled JBC meeting on June 14, 2025, presents an opportunity to address the latest tensions without expanding the scope of the dispute. The role of the ICJ remains limited unless both countries agree to its jurisdiction or if Cambodia’s application is accepted despite Thailand’s objections.
Fun Fact:
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.
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In light of the escalating border conflict with Thailand, Cambodia's Prime Minister, Samdech Hun Sen, has urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to intervene in the dispute, expressing concern that the situation could transform into a conflict akin to the one in Gaza.
Given the ongoing political tensions and war-and-conflicts, business and general news are closely following the dynamics between Cambodia and Thailand, which also impact regional politics. The ICJ, as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, could potentially play a significant role in resolving this dispute, influencing international business and further regional politics.
