Border talks with Cambodia must wait for new Thai government - Sihasak

Thailand has declined Cambodia’s call for the resumption of Joint Border Commission (JBC) meetings to discuss disputed territories, saying the matter must wait until a new Thai government formally takes office, according to Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

He was responding to a recent remark by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who said he would like the JBC meeting to be held after the Songkran festival in mid-April so the two neighbours can discuss border territory secured by Thai troops after fighting last December.

Sihasak said that if Cambodia wants a JBC meeting to settle the border demarcation issue, it must first begin cooperating with Thailand in demining the border area. Otherwise, he said, the meeting could be used as a pretext for Cambodia to push its own agenda.

The Thai foreign minister added that demining and the suppression of scam syndicates in Cambodia are not related to the JBC talks. He emphasised that Cambodia is obligated under the ceasefire agreement to carry out both responsibilities.