Thailand Blames Cambodia for Breaking Border Dispute Promise

Strategic Insights -

Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday denied Cambodia's claim, stating that the kingdom broke its promise to resolve border disputes through a bilateral boundary committee, as agreed upon in a 2000 memorandum of understanding. Thailand asserts that Cambodia's appeal to the International Court of Justice was a breach of the agreement. The dispute centers on four contested areas, with Cambodia refusing to discuss them in the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting on June 14-15. Thailand's foreign ministry accused Cambodia of violating the agreement by not following the agreed-upon method of resolving border disputes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Thailand claims Cambodia breached a 2000 memorandum of understanding (MOU) by appealing to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) despite the MOU's stipulation that border issues must be discussed through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
  • The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Cambodia's refusal to discuss four contested areas in the JBC meeting was a violation of the agreement, citing the MOU's requirement for joint surveys and demarcations.
  • Thailand asserts that it has never withdrawn from the JBC process, having waited 12 years for Cambodia's turn to host a meeting, which took place on June 14-15.
  • Thailand urges Cambodia to respect the mutual obligation to negotiate peacefully before resorting to other mechanisms to resolve the border dispute.
  • Thailand has successfully used the JBC and equivalents to resolve border issues with other neighboring countries, with 90% of its land border negotiations with Laos and Malaysia completed through their JBC.

Statistics:

  • 2000: The year in which Thailand and Cambodia signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on resolving border disputes through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
  • 90%: The percentage of Thailand's land border negotiations with Laos and Malaysia completed through the JBC.
  • 12 years: The length of time Thailand waited for Cambodia's turn to host a JBC meeting.
  • June 14-15: The dates of the JBC meeting between Thailand and Cambodia.

Sources:

  • Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement
  • Memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Thailand and Cambodia, dated 2000