PHNOM PENH, June 7 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra have both contacted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, representing Malaysia as Asean chair, about the Thai-Cambodia border dispute.
Manet in a Facebook post yesterday said he had discussed the ongoing border tensions with Anwar over a phone call to explain the kingdom’s position.
“Cambodia adheres to the principle of maintaining peace, friendship, and good cooperation with Thailand.
“Cambodia’s decision to refer the Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Tauch Temple, Ta Krabei Temple and Mom Bei areas to the International Court of Justice is to seek an early, peaceful and permanent solution to the border issue in these areas rather than prolong the uncertainty, which can lead to renewed armed conflicts,” said Manet.
He said Cambodia continues to cooperate with Thailand to expedite the demarcation and delimitation of the border (except the four areas mentioned above) through the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC), whose meeting is set for June 14 in Phnom Penh.
“Cambodia continues to maintain relations between the two countries through all existing mechanisms for the mutual benefit of the two peoples,” Manet told Anwar.
Meanwhile, Paetongtarn yesterday said she spoke to Anwar about the dispute over a phone call, during which Anwar expressed readiness to help both sides resolve the dispute.
“Thank you, PM Anwar Ibrahim, for the call this afternoon to discuss the Thai-Cambodian border situation and to express readiness to help both sides to resolve the matter.
“I reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to a peaceful resolution through existing bilateral mechanisms, while safeguarding our sovereignty in accordance with international law,” she said on X.
Yesterday, Paetongtarn, after chairing a National Security Council meeting, announced Thailand had established a special task force to address security concerns along its border with Cambodia.
She said the army has been assigned to coordinate operations and be prepared to respond to any developments, prioritising the protection of sovereignty while safeguarding international relations to ensure national security.
On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops were involved in a brief gunfight in Thailand’s northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia’s northern Preah Vihear province, where one Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed.
Cambodia has since announced its intention to bring the dispute to the International Court of Justice.
— Bernama
