In a move to ease escalating tensions, Thailand and Cambodia have mutually agreed to reinstate their military forces to older border positions. This decision comes after a deadly clash on May 28, which saw a Cambodian soldier killed and led to both nations reinforcing their military presence along the disputed frontier.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the agreement, emphasizing a shared desire to de-escalate the volatile situation that emerged from the incident in the undemarcated border area. This aligns with previous statements from Thai defense officials, who had indicated that talks were underway to revert to the troop arrangements of the previous year.
The enduring border disputes between the two countries are deeply rooted in historical mapping from 1907, when Cambodia was a French colony. These ambiguities have resulted in contested sovereignty at various points along the extensive 817 km (508 miles) shared border, leading to intermittent conflicts for over a century.
While bilateral negotiations, including a Joint Boundary Committee meeting, are slated for June 14, Cambodia has reiterated its call for the International Court of Justice to provide a “fair, impartial, and durable resolution.” Thailand, however, maintains its preference for resolving all border-related matters through direct, bilateral discussions.