Direct talks with Cambodia on land borders out of question for now – Thai FM

Bilateral talks between Thailand and Cambodia to settle their land border dispute are “out of the question” at this stage, as Cambodia has chosen the compulsory conciliation approach under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told Thai media in China today.

During a briefing on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s offer of China’s help to facilitate talks, Sihasak expressed his appreciation for China’s good will in extending a helping hand and her attempt to persuade Cambodia to comply with the promises made during the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, in May.

He also praised China for strictly maintaining its impartial role adding, however, that the border conflict should be resolved directly between the two countries.

“For now, the door is shut on land border talks,” said the foreign minister, adding that there are few channels left for direct talks. He also said that Cambodia should have tried a voluntary conciliation approach under the UNCLOS framework first, before heading towards compulsory conciliation.

Sihasak said that Thailand is also concerned about Cambodian media reports of the delivery of Chinese-made tanks to Cambodia, in a way which is beneficial to Cambodia, but may affect the fragile relations and ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

He made clear that he does not intend to blame Cambodian media, but merely wants them to be aware of the sensitivity of the issue.

Regarding the problem of ‘grey’ businesses in Thailand, run by some unscrupulous Chinese nationals, and the issue of the use of ‘fake’ Thai fathers to obtain Thai citizenships for Chinese children, the foreign minister said that Thailand appreciates quality and sustainable investment by Chinese investors but, at the same time, would like the Chinese government to look into this problem, because it affects the Thai people.