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Thailand makes headway in negotiations over border disputes with Cambodia

Ongoing strife traceable to the colonial era

,   and  ASMedia
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Military personnel stationed at a crater within Preah Vihear temple's premises. This temple is...
Military personnel stationed at a crater within Preah Vihear temple's premises. This temple is contested between Cambodia and Thailand, leading to intensifying skirmishes along their shared border for a prolonged period.

Kickin' it old school: Thailand and Cambodia, still squabbling over their age-old border spat

Thailand makes headway in negotiations over border disputes with Cambodia

After a face-off between their soldiers that left a Cambodian soldier dead in May, Thailand and Cambodia have made some strides in ironing out their border issues during a meeting in Phnom Penh. According to Thai diplomats, the two nations made "headway in fostering mutual understanding," as announced by the Thai Foreign Ministry.

Reps from both sides gathered at the Cambodian capital, with Thai negotiators being led by a senior advisor from the Foreign Ministry, and the Cambodian delegation by their minister in charge of border affairs. The Thai ministry's spokesperson informed the press that diplomacy still reigns supreme in resolving the ongoing spat. The talks are set to continue until Sunday.

While the border standoff between the two Southeast Asian countries has simmered for decades, tensions have escalated further in recent days. Thailand has heightened border patrols with Cambodia, while Cambodia has put its troops on high alert. Cambodia even went as far as threatening to bring the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in early June.

Both countries have long been at loggerheads, with disagreements primarily centered around the centuries-old temple complex of Preah Vihear, located along the border. In 2013, the ICJ in The Hague officially declared ownership of Preah Vihear to Cambodia.

Controversy between these neighbors can be traced back to the colonial era. France, having ruled the Cambodian territory formerly under the Indochina colonial regime, primarily drew the 800-kilometer boundary between Cambodia and Thailand. Since 2008, at least 28 lives have been lost in violent incidents related to the ongoing border issue.

Here's the lowdown on the current status of the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia:

Fresh Developments

  1. Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) Meeting: In a recent two-day JBC meeting in Phnom Penh, Thailand and Cambodia failed to reach a consensus on their territorial disputes [1][3]. The meeting aimed to address border tensions following a brief skirmish between soldiers in the Chong Bok area of Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province [1].
  2. Cambodia's Request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ): Cambodia has requested the ICJ to consider rulings on four disputed border areas, including Chong Bok. However, Thailand disputes the ICJ's role in this matter [3][4].
  3. Thailand's Perspective: Thailand values bilateral negotiations through the JBC and has expressed displeasure with Cambodia for soliciting the ICJ, which they see as a sign of disregard for existing bilateral mechanisms [4].
  4. Public Opinion in Thailand: A recent poll revealed that most Thais trust the military to resolve the border dispute, with significant public praise for the military's performance [2].
  5. Future Negotiations: Thailand plans to host the next special JBC meeting in September 2025, signifying their ongoing commitment to bilateral discussions [1][4].

Historically, the conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia have roots traceable to colonial boundary demarcations. The ongoing disputes stem from territorial claims, questions of national sovereignty, and broader bilateral relationships. Established mechanisms like the JBC, the General Border Committee, and Regional Border Committees have been set up to handle border disputes, yet the lack of progress and value differences regarding international intervention continue to obstruct negotiations [4].

  1. The Community Policy could address the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, as the resolution of the border dispute necessitates good communication and understanding within their respective employment policies.
  2. The broader context of the border spat between Thailand and Cambodia encompasses aspects of general news, politics, and war-and-conflicts, which significantly impact the foreign policies of both countries and their relationship as neighbors.

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