Latest news with #JointBoundaryCommittee
The Star
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai defence minister unfazed by Cambodia's ICJ plan, says Thailand ready with response measures
BANGKOK: Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (pic) on Wednesday (June 11) brushed aside Cambodia's move to file a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding four disputed border areas, affirming that Thailand is already prepared with appropriate response measures. His remarks came after Phnom Penh set up a committee to prepare documents for filing a complaint with the ICJ over the disputed border areas, including the Mom Bei area and the temples of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, and Ta Krabei. In response, Phumtham said it is within Cambodia's right to proceed with legal action, but reiterated that Thailand has not accepted the ICJ's jurisdiction in such matters since the administration of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. 'Let the matter proceed through due process,' he said. When asked whether the issue would affect the upcoming Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) meeting scheduled for Saturday (June 14), Phumtham acknowledged that the dispute is unlikely to be resolved swiftly. He added that both the Royal Thai Army and the 2nd Army Region were in agreement to maintain the current system of controlling the opening and closing of border checkpoints in each area, confirming that measures have not been escalated. Phumtham stressed that the border with Cambodia has not been completely shut but is subject to scheduled openings and limitations on the number of people crossing. He expressed confidence that the situation would gradually improve, citing increased communication between Thai and Cambodian troops on the ground and proposals for joint patrols and collaborative activities. When asked whether Cambodia's move resembled the earlier case involving the Preah Vihear Temple, Phumtham said the Preah Vihear issue was unrelated to the current tension, although the previous case could offer some lessons. As for the Thailand Watch Foundation's suggestion to replace the current head of negotiations—who was also involved during the Preah Vihear dispute—Phumtham argued that someone familiar with the issue and the local context would best understand the current situation. 'The government will listen to the facts and reasons. This is not about personal preferences or who likes whom. It's about addressing the national interest. We must prioritise what's best for the country,' he said. Asked if Cambodia's unilateral filing would have any impact, Phumtham said it was difficult to predict. He added that any legal matters would be handled by the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs. He confirmed that Thailand has already prepared contingency plans. "How could we not be prepared in a time of national crisis? We are ready. Further details will be provided in due course," he concluded. - The Nation/ANN
India.com
09-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Border Breach, Soldier Killed, Tanks Deployed: How A 1907 Map Sparked Clashes Between These Two Asian Nations
Bangkok: After a tense standoff along their disputed border, Cambodia's Defence Ministry confirmed on June 8 that both Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to return their troops to previous positions. This agreement follows a deadly clash on May 28 in an undemarcated border zone where a Cambodian soldier was killed. The incident had prompted both nations to rush heavily armed forces to the area. Thailand's Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the two countries, following talks, have agreed to defuse tensions and would revert to border positions agreed upon in 2024. Though this move signals a step toward calming the situation, the underlying dispute remains far from resolved. A Century-Old Dispute The root of the conflict lies in a map drawn more than 100 years ago. The border between Thailand and Cambodia, stretching over 817 kilometers (508 miles), was originally mapped by French colonial authorities in 1907 when Cambodia was under French rule. Since then, sovereignty over several undemarcated points along this frontier has been contested. This is not the first time tensions have flared. The two countries have clashed repeatedly over the years, including a serious conflict in 2008 centered on an 11th-century Hindu temple complex. That fight escalated into deadly skirmishes, with artillery exchanges in 2011 leaving dozens dead. Military Build-Up Following the May 28 incident, both sides deployed large numbers of troops and heavy weapons along the contested border. Thailand has 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces, but many parts of the boundary remain unclear. Despite the troop withdrawals now underway, Thailand recently cut operating hours at 10 border crossings, including the busy checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province, citing security concerns. For days, the two governments have exchanged statements emphasising their commitment to peace and dialogue, although specifics about troop deployments remained vague. Thailand's Defence Minister expressed hope that the border issue could be resolved through upcoming bilateral talks, including a scheduled meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee on June 14. Cambodia, however, has called for the dispute to be settled by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a letter sent to Thai officials on June 6, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn stressed the complexity and historical nature of the conflict, saying that bilateral talks alone may not be enough to find a lasting solution. 'A decision rendered by the ICJ, grounded in international law, would offer a fair, impartial, and durable resolution,' he said. Thailand, meanwhile, does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction and insists that all issues be resolved bilaterally. A Complicated Relationship Politics adds another layer of complexity. The two nations once enjoyed warmer ties, largely due to the friendship between former leaders Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand and Hun Sen of Cambodia. Now, their children – Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Hun Manet – are the current prime ministers, but rising nationalist sentiments in Thailand have strained relations. With both countries digging in and the border dispute unresolved, the fragile peace in Southeast Asia hangs in the balance. ASEAN leaders have urged restraint, but the risk remains that another clash could spiral into a broader conflict, dragging regional powers into the fray.
Korea Herald
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Thailand, Cambodia say they will return to agreed border positions after clash
Cambodia's Defense Ministry confirmed Sunday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to return their troops to previous border positions after a clash in which a Cambodian soldier was killed prompted both to reinforce their military presence. The Cambodian statement, which said both sides wished to ease tensions following the incident in an undemarcated area on May 28, came after Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said both countries were in talks to defuse the situation and would revert to positions agreed in 2024. For days, the two governments have exchanged statements, saying they were committed to finding a peaceful resolution. Neither gave details about where or to what extent their military forces had been reinforced over the weekend. Thailand operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817 kilometers frontier, Thai government data shows. Both countries have for more than a century contested sovereignty at undemarcated points along their shared border, which was mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony. Thailand's Phumtham said both sides hoped the border issue could be fully resolved through bilateral talks, including a meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee on June 14. Cambodia's Foreign Ministry reiterated a request to bring the border disputes to the International Court of Justice in a letter to Thai officials on June 6. "Given the complexity, historical nature, and sensitivity of these disputes, it is increasingly evident that bilateral dialogue alone may no longer suffice to bring about a comprehensive and lasting solution," Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said in the note shared with reporters Sunday. "A decision rendered by the ICJ, grounded in international law, would offer a fair, impartial and durable resolution," he said. The Thai government has said it does not recognize the court's jurisdiction and proposed that all boundary-related issues be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Tensions between the countries escalated in 2008 over an 11th-century Hindu temple, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011. In the latest flare-up, Thailand cut operating hours at 10 border crossings with Cambodia, citing security concerns. Checkpoints, including the busiest in Thailand's eastern province of Sa Kaeo, halved operating hours on Sunday to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters. The governments of Thailand and Cambodia previously enjoyed warmer ties, owing to a friendship between former leaders, Thaksin Shinawatra from Thailand and Cambodia's Hun Sen. Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Hun Sen's son, Hun Manet, are now the incumbent prime ministers of their countries, and the conflict has raised questions over their relationship. (Reuters)
Japan Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Thailand and Cambodia to return to agreed border positions after fatal clash
Cambodia's Defense Ministry confirmed on Sunday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to return their troops to previous border positions after a clash in which a Cambodian soldier was killed prompted both to reinforce their military presence. The Cambodian statement, which said both sides wished to ease tensions following the incident in an undemarcated area on May 28, came after Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said both countries were in talks to defuse the situation and would revert to positions agreed in 2024. For days, the two governments have exchanged statements, saying they were committed to finding a peaceful resolution. Neither gave details about where or to what extent their military forces had been reinforced at the weekend. Thailand operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817 km (508 miles) frontier, Thai government data shows. Both countries have for more than a century contested sovereignty at undemarcated points along their shared border, which was mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony. Thailand's Phumtham said both sides hoped the border issue could be fully resolved through bilateral talks, including a meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee on June 14. Cambodia's Foreign Ministry reiterated a request to bring the border disputes to the International Court of Justice in a letter to Thai officials on June 6. "Given the complexity, historical nature and sensitivity of these disputes, it is increasingly evident that bilateral dialogue alone may no longer suffice to bring about a comprehensive and lasting solution," Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said in the note shared with reporters on Sunday. "A decision rendered by the ICJ, grounded in international law, would offer a fair, impartial and durable resolution," he said. The Thai government has said it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction and proposed that all boundary-related issues be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Tensions between the countries escalated in 2008 over an 11th-century Hindu temple, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a week-long exchange of artillery in 2011. In the latest flare up, Thailand cut operating hours at 10 border crossings with Cambodia, citing security concerns. Checkpoints, including the busiest in Thailand's eastern province of Sa Kaeo, halved operating hours on Sunday to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., previously, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters. The governments of Thailand and Cambodia previously enjoyed warmer ties, owing to a friendship between former leaders, Thaksin Shinawatra from Thailand and Cambodia's Hun Sen. Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Hun Sen's son, Hun Manet, are now the incumbent prime ministers of their countries and the conflict has raised questions over their relationship.
AsiaOne
09-06-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Thailand and Cambodia say they will return to agreed border positions after fatal clash, Asia News
BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's Defence Ministry confirmed on Sunday (June 8) that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to return their troops to previous border positions after a clash in which a Cambodian soldier was killed prompted both to reinforce their military presence. The Cambodian statement, which said both sides wished to ease tensions following the incident in an undemarcated area on May 28, came after Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said both countries were in talks to defuse the situation and would revert to positions agreed in 2024. For days, the two governments have exchanged statements, saying they were committed to finding a peaceful resolution. Neither gave details about where or to what extent their military forces had been reinforced at the weekend. Thailand operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817km frontier, Thai government data shows. Both countries have for more than a century contested sovereignty at undemarcated points along their shared border, which was mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony. Thailand's Phumtham said both sides hoped the border issue could be fully resolved through bilateral talks, including a meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee on June 14. Cambodia's Foreign Ministry reiterated a request to bring the border disputes to the International Court of Justice in a letter to Thai officials on June 6. "Given the complexity, historical nature, and sensitivity of these disputes, it is increasingly evident that bilateral dialogue alone may no longer suffice to bring about a comprehensive and lasting solution," Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said in the note shared with reporters on Sunday. "A decision rendered by the ICJ, grounded in international law, would offer a fair, impartial, and durable resolution," he said. The Thai government has said it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction and proposed that all boundary-related issues be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Tensions between the countries escalated in 2008 over an 11th-century Hindu temple, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a week-long exchange of artillery in 2011. In the latest flare up, Thailand cut operating hours at 10 border crossings with Cambodia, citing security concerns. Checkpoints, including the busiest in Thailand's eastern province of Sa Kaeo, halved operating hours on Sunday to 8am (9am in Singapore time) to 4pm local time, from 6am to 10pm, previously, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters. The governments of Thailand and Cambodia previously enjoyed warmer ties, owing to a friendship between former leaders, Thaksin Shinawatra from Thailand and Cambodia's Hun Sen. Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Hun Sen's son, Hun Manet, are now the incumbent prime ministers of their countries and the conflict has raised questions over their relationship. [[nid:713340]]
