BANGKOK — Thailand’s Foreign Ministry issued an official response Thursday after Cambodia formally notified the United Nations of its intention to take their long-standing border dispute to the International Court of Justice, following a fatal clash between troops last month.
Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clarified Thailand’s position after Cambodia’s Permanent Representative to the UN requested that military clashes and border tensions be included as an agenda item for the UN General Assembly under “Prevention of armed conflict.”
Cambodia’s Letter
According to the UN database, Cambodia’s letter requested that military clashes and border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia be included as an agenda item for the UN General Assembly under “Prevention of armed conflict.” The letter, which included an attachment dated June 15 regarding Cambodia’s intention to file with the ICJ, detailed escalating tensions along the border.
Cambodia’s submission stated that on June 15, 2025, the Cambodian government sent a letter to the ICJ Registrar expressing its intention to file an application concerning unresolved border issues between the two countries.
The letter cited ongoing disputes despite the French-Siamese Treaties of 1904 and 1907, as well as previous ICJ rulings in 1962 and 2013 that affirmed Cambodia’s sovereignty over Preah Vihear Temple and surrounding areas. It highlighted persistent tensions in areas including Mom Bei, Tamone Thom Temple, Tamone Touch Temple, and Ta Krabey Temple.
Most significantly, it referenced a May 28, 2025 armed confrontation in the Mom Bei area, where Cambodia alleges Thai forces opened fire on Cambodian military units on Cambodian territory, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. The incident reportedly led to the deployment of thousands of heavily armed forces on both sides of the border.
Cambodia’s letter accused Thailand of lacking political will in bilateral negotiations, relying on unilaterally drawn maps, and violating Cambodian sovereignty. It also cited threats from Thailand’s Second Army Region Commander to resolve disputes by force and expressed concern about rising extreme nationalism fueled by statements from Thai military and political figures.
Thailand’s Response
The Thai Foreign Ministry provided the following clarification:
- On June 16, 2025, Cambodia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in New York sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General regarding tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, requesting that the letter be circulated as a UN General Assembly document under agenda item 32 of the 79th session concerning “Prevention of armed conflict.”
- On June 19, 2025, Thailand’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in New York sent a letter to the UNSG transmitting a “Statement by the Royal Thai Government on Thailand-Cambodia border situation” dated June 18, 2025. The statement clarified facts and outlined Thailand’s position and actions on the matter, which are in accordance with international law, the MOU2000 agreement, and the bilateral negotiation approach that both sides have agreed upon and are committed to. Thailand also requested that both the cover letter and statement be circulated as UN General Assembly documents under agenda item 32.
- The UNSG has now registered both Cambodia’s letter and Thailand’s letter under agenda item 32 of the 79th UN General Assembly session, effectively circulating them to UN member states for their information.
- In principle, the circulation of member state letters under UN General Assembly agenda items is a process to place information or positions of member states on record and create awareness among member nations. In this case, following Cambodia’s letter to the UN General Assembly, Thailand took action to send its own letter to the General Assembly to clarify Thailand’s position. This document circulation follows standard UN procedures for distributing such materials.
Rising Tensions Spill Over Online and Offline
The diplomatic developments have been accompanied by confrontations between netizens from both sides expressing intense nationalist views, creating a tense atmosphere that has extended to military personnel facing off at certain border points and even between tourists from both countries at disputed historical sites.
In the latest incident at Ta Kwai Temple in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province, on July 5, a Cambodian man was heard shouting at Thai tourists using provocative language claiming ownership of the area. This prompted Thai military personnel in black uniforms to intervene and restore calm, warning that “war doesn’t make anything better.”
When the man refused to stop, Thai soldiers had to firmly emphasize that tourism must have rules and respect for the location, stating: “But if you’re confident it belongs to you, then take the stones back with you.”
In another incident, a woman wearing a Cambodian flag as a shawl was prevented from entering the temple area by Thai soldiers, who explained that symbolic displays of the dispute were not permitted. This led to expressions of dissatisfaction from Cambodians, with both sides filming and posting clips online that generated numerous comments from netizens.
__________
Related article:
