Phnom Penh — In a significant step toward regional stability and diplomatic engagement, Cambodia and Thailand reconvened their long-stalled border discussions during the 6th Meeting of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC), held in Phnom Penh on the morning of June 14. This marks the first formal session of the JBC since talks were suspended over a decade ago.
The Cambodian delegation was led by H.E. Lam Chea, Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs and Head of the Cambodian Border Affairs Commission. The Thai side was headed by Mr. Prasas Prasasvinitchai, Advisor to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a key figure overseeing border affairs.
This resumption of talks signifies a renewed commitment from both nations to peacefully delineate their shared land boundary, although critical issues have been temporarily set aside.
Key Disputes Excluded from Current Agenda
On the eve of the meeting, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet provided clarity on the scope of the current JBC talks. He stated that two major concerns—ongoing disputes over ancient temple sites and the recent unilateral border closure—would be excluded from the agenda.
The temple areas in question include the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, and Ta Krabei complexes, as well as the Mom Bei region. Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed that Cambodia has already decided to escalate these disputes to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and will submit an official request on June 15.
“This issue is not up for negotiation under the JBC framework,” the Prime Minister emphasized. “We believe international legal resolution is the appropriate path.”
Unilateral Border Closure Sparks Concern
The second key issue—Thailand’s recent unilateral closure of parts of the border—was also excluded from the JBC’s remit. According to the Prime Minister, the Thai military closed several crossings on June 7, 2025, without prior consultation or bilateral agreement.
“Border opening and closure is not within the jurisdiction of the JBC,” said Samdech Thipadei. “The decision to close the border was taken unilaterally, and the responsibility to reopen it lies with the same party.”
He firmly stated that Cambodia did not initiate the closure and would not participate in negotiations to resolve what he deemed a one-sided act. “What was started unilaterally must be ended unilaterally,” he declared. “There is no need for negotiation. Whoever starts first, ends first.”
Commitment to Peaceful Resolution
Despite these exclusions, the Cambodian Prime Minister reiterated his government’s full commitment to working with Thailand through the JBC mechanism to resolve the remaining, undisputed border sections in a peaceful and cooperative manner.
“The JBC remains a critical platform for finalising demarcation efforts in areas where there is mutual agreement,” he said. “We welcome Thailand’s cooperation in this technical process, which is essential for long-term regional stability.”
The JBC was established to oversee the technical demarcation of the more than 800-kilometre shared land border between Cambodia and Thailand, a task that remains partially incomplete due to past conflicts and differing interpretations of historical treaties and maps.
Outlook
The reactivation of the JBC talks is viewed as a positive development in Cambodia–Thailand relations, especially after years of diplomatic stagnation. However, the exclusion of sensitive issues underscores the complexity of the bilateral relationship, particularly when historical and sovereignty concerns intersect.
Cambodia’s move to submit its case to the ICJ indicates a strong preference for rule-based international arbitration and reflects Phnom Penh’s desire to seek peaceful and permanent resolution to longstanding territorial disagreements.
Observers will be closely watching how the ICJ proceedings unfold and whether the JBC can make substantive progress on the technical demarcation work. Meanwhile, attention will remain on Thailand’s response to the border closure issue and whether unilateral actions can give way to coordinated policy once again.
As the situation develops, both nations face a pivotal opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to international law, diplomacy, and regional peace.
