In a statement released on 07 Jul 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia reiterated its commitment to the peaceful settlement of border disputes with its neighbor, Thailand. The move comes as tensions over the Cambodian-Thai border disputes and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary (MoU 2000) continue to escalate.
Cambodia has long maintained that it will resolve the border disputes peacefully, in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the MoU 2000. However, Thailand's repeated failure to fulfill its obligations under the MoU 2000 has led Cambodia to take a more assertive stance.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Thailand has consistently disregarded its treaty commitments, particularly Article 1 of the MoU 2000, which emphasizes the use of maps produced by the Franco-Siamese Commissions of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indochina and Siam as the basis for boundary demarcation. Instead, Thailand has imposed unilateral maps to assert territorial claims and carry out encroachments into Cambodian territory.
Cambodia's decision to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a measured response to these actions, which it considers a material breach of international law and the MoU 2000. The ICJ, as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, is recognized as a legitimate forum for adjudicating international legal disputes, including boundary matters.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has called upon Thailand to comply in good faith with its treaty obligations, cease all unilateral actions on the ground, and engage constructively in the peaceful settlement of disputes through the ICJ. This assertion of sovereignty reflects Cambodia's commitment to upholding its rights and interests in a fair and transparent manner.
The situation highlights the importance of strong bilateral relations between Cambodia and Thailand, as well as regional cooperation within ASEAN. The dispute has sparked concerns about the stability of the region and the need for effective conflict resolution mechanisms.
In conclusion, Cambodia's decision to take its border dispute with Thailand to the ICJ marks a significant development in the ongoing saga. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how Thailand will respond to Cambodia's assertion of sovereignty. The international community will likely be watching closely as this matter unfolds.