At the United Nations General Assembly, Cambodia and Thailand exchanged contrasting views on their longstanding border dispute, each urging the other to foster trust and accusing one another of insufficient efforts towards resolution. Cambodia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Prak Sokhonn, emphasized the need for Thailand to adhere to existing bilateral agreements, resume border survey and demarcation activities, and facilitate the return of displaced civilians to their homes.
Sokhonn highlighted that recent tensions have negatively impacted bilateral relations, civilian populations, and cultural heritage. He advocated for mutual respect for international law and honoring past commitments to rebuild trust and prevent further escalation.
The maritime dispute between the two nations remains unresolved. Cambodia, committed to resolving this issue through international law, initiated compulsory conciliation proceedings under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea after Thailand withdrew from a 2001 Memorandum of Understanding that had previously provided a framework for maritime issues. Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, however, stressed that the conciliation should focus solely on maritime boundary delimitation, calling for a genuine effort from Cambodia to restore trust through bilateral dialogue.
Anutin also highlighted the importance of cooperation on border security, demining, and combating online scam networks that operate across the region. Despite avoiding renewed armed clashes since a ceasefire ended a 21-day confrontation last year, diplomatic tensions persist over border disagreements.
Both Cambodia and Thailand called for disputes to be addressed through existing agreements and international law, with Thailand emphasizing bilateral dialogue and security cooperation. During their addresses at the UN, both countries underscored the importance of stronger international cooperation and peaceful dispute resolution, stressing the need for continued diplomatic engagement to resolve their differences.