In a statement released on 05 Jun 2025, the Royal Government of Cambodia has announced its decision to refer a long-standing border dispute with Thailand to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. This move comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations following an armed incident on 28 May 2025, in which Thai military forces opened fire on a Cambodian army position, resulting in the loss of one life.
The RGC has consistently pursued a foreign policy rooted in peace, friendship, and cooperation among nations, particularly with neighboring countries. Since gaining independence from French colonial rule, Cambodia has prioritized peaceful resolution of border disputes, even in the face of occasional tensions and regrettable loss of life among its soldiers defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Historically, the RGC’s dedication to peaceful resolution is evident in its conduct, including the referral of disputes to the ICJ. The court ruled in Cambodia’s favor in 1962 and again in 2013 in border disputes with Thailand. These actions reflect the deep commitment of the RGC to international law and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
The recent armed incident has led to a formal protest from the RGC against Thailand’s use of force, which constitutes a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and principles of good neighborliness as enshrined in the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two nations. The dispute centers around four sensitive areas: Mom Bei, Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Tauch Temple, and Ta Krabei Temple.
The RGC has received unanimous support for this decision from the First Joint Congress of the National Assembly and Senate. While pursuing legal resolution at the ICJ, Cambodia will continue to engage through existing bilateral frameworks. However, given the referral to the ICJ, these four areas will not be included on the agenda of the upcoming Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) session.
The Royal Government urges all Cambodians to approach this issue with calm and restraint, emphasizing the importance of maintaining normal relations with Thailand, especially in trade, tourism, and broader areas of cooperation, for the mutual benefit of their peoples. Cambodia expresses hope that Thailand will cooperate in jointly referring this case to the ICJ, in the spirit of fairness, trust-building, long-term friendship, and good neighborliness.
This development highlights the limitations of current dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing longstanding points of contention along shared borders. The RGC’s decision serves as a reminder of its commitment to peaceful resolution and its role as a champion of international law and cooperation in regional affairs.
Significance of the Decision
The referral of the border dispute to the ICJ marks a significant step towards resolving the longstanding issue. This move demonstrates Cambodia’s determination to pursue peaceful resolution and uphold international law, even in the face of challenging circumstances. The ICJ’s involvement has the potential to provide a fair, impartial, and sustainable solution to the dispute, which could help to reduce tensions between the two nations and promote regional stability.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Thailand will respond to Cambodia’s decision. The RGC’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy is evident in its engagement through existing bilateral frameworks, including the upcoming JBC meeting in Phnom Penh. However, given the referral to the ICJ, the four sensitive areas at the center of the dispute will not be included on the agenda, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to resolving this issue.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining normal relations with Thailand, particularly in trade, tourism, and broader areas of cooperation. The RGC’s emphasis on calm restraint and refraining from ethnic or nationalist sentiment underscores its commitment to promoting regional stability and cooperation.