BANGKOK — 27 August 2026, Thailand has called for dialogue and the use of agreed bilateral mechanisms to address border issues with Cambodia, rejecting threats and unilateral claims as a means of determining an international boundary.
The statement came in response to a Cambodian opinion article suggesting that Thai officials, including the prime minister, could face arrest or legal action if they enter areas Cambodia claims as its territory.
Thailand questioned who has the authority to unilaterally determine an international boundary, stressing that repeatedly declaring territory to belong to one side does not constitute a legally settled border.
It also said unilateral territorial claims should not be used as a basis for threatening to arrest, prosecute or use force against officials of a neighboring country.
Thailand pointed to the Joint Statement of 27 December 2025, under which Thailand and Cambodia agreed to maintain their existing troop deployments, refrain from advancing forces toward each other, avoid provocative actions, reduce tensions and resolve differences through agreed bilateral mechanisms.
The Thai prime minister’s visit to support Thai personnel was described as taking place in an area on the Thai side where Thai forces remain deployed.
Thailand emphasized that visiting troops does not amount to demarcating a border, maintaining agreed positions does not create a new boundary, and a unilateral claim does not constitute a final determination of sovereignty.
If the two countries have differing views over their boundary, Thailand said existing mechanisms, including the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and other agreed bilateral channels, should be used to address the issue.
“Bring the maps. Bring the treaties. Bring the evidence,” the statement said, urging both sides to address the dispute through mechanisms accepted by both countries.
It added that an opinion article cannot determine an international boundary, while threats cannot replace international law and arrest warrants cannot replace negotiations.
Thailand also questioned whether discussion of arresting the prime minister of a neighboring country, or invoking the possible use of force, would help create an atmosphere conducive to peace or instead undermine it.
“Thailand chooses dialogue. Thailand chooses agreed bilateral mechanisms. Thailand chooses restraint,” the statement said.
At the same time, Thailand said it would continue to protect its sovereignty and national interests in accordance with applicable law and established international principles.
“Thailand and Cambodia will remain neighbors,” the statement said, adding that people in both countries need security, stability and a border where they can return to normal life.
“Facts must prevail over allegations. Agreements must prevail over threats. Dialogue must prevail over provocation.”
