At the United Nations General Assembly, Cambodia and Thailand brought their unresolved border dispute to the forefront, each nation urging the other to foster greater trust and accusing one another of insufficient efforts toward a settlement. The tensions were highlighted by Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn, who called on Thailand to adhere to existing bilateral agreements, resume border survey and demarcation work, and facilitate the return of displaced civilians.
Sokhonn emphasized that recent tensions had strained bilateral relations, affecting civilians and cultural heritage, and stressed the importance of both countries honoring past commitments, avoiding further escalation, and respecting international law. He reiterated Cambodia’s dedication to resolving a maritime dispute with Thailand through international law, noting that Cambodia had initiated compulsory conciliation proceedings under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea following Thailand’s cessation of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding, which had previously provided a framework for addressing maritime issues.
On the other hand, Thailand, represented by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, maintained that the conciliation process should focus solely on maritime boundary delimitation. Anutin urged Cambodia to engage in genuine efforts to rebuild trust through bilateral dialogue. He also advocated for increased cooperation on border security, demining, and combating online scam networks operating across the region.
Despite avoiding renewed armed clashes since a ceasefire ended a 21-day confrontation last year, diplomatic tensions persist due to ongoing disagreements over the border and related issues. Cambodia has advocated for disputes to be resolved through existing agreements and international law, while Thailand has placed emphasis on bilateral dialogue and cooperation in border security matters.
Both nations have underscored the importance of strengthening international cooperation and advocating for peaceful dispute resolution at the UN, stressing the need for continued diplomatic engagement to address their remaining differences. The dialogue at the General Assembly reflects the ongoing complexity and sensitivity of the issues at hand, with both sides calling for mechanisms that can facilitate trust and cooperation moving forward.