Thailand urges bilateral approach in border dispute with Cambodia

The Thai government has issued a statement asserting that neighboring countries should not bring disputes to a third party, but should instead resolve them peacefully through bilateral mechanisms, such as the Joint Boundary Committee.

The statement, issued today, further emphasized that Thailand is committed to resolving conflicts with its neighbors through peaceful means, in accordance with the principles of international law and human rights—following the brief clash between Thai and Cambodian forces on May 28 at the Chong Bok Pass in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province.

According to the statement, Thai troops were on a routine patrol on that day, when a brief fight flared up, requiring Thai troops to defend themselves and the territorial sovereignty of Thailand.

After the incident, the two countries held discussions at various levels, including at the prime ministerial level, and the two governments agreed to cooperate, to prevent the incident from escalating and to resolve the conflicts via the Joint Boundary Committee.

The Thai government said that the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border has been peaceful since, as it urged the Thai people to trust and have confidence in the government to protect Thailand’s sovereignty and legal rights.

The General Border Committee has agreed to meet on June 14, to be followed by the Regional Border Committee, said the statement, adding that both sides have agreed to ask their media to refrain from stirring up misunderstandings between the peoples of both countries.