Thailand renews call for Cambodia to return to JBC talks

Thailand has renewed its call for Cambodia to use the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) mechanism, as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2000, to resolve their border dispute.

The Thai Foreign Ministry said in a statement today that the JBC mechanism is in line with the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter and that Thailand has always complied with MoU 2000 and has not breached its terms, as Cambodia alleges.

The ministry cited the success in resolving border issues with both Laos and Malaysia as clear evidence that bilateral dialogue is the most effective way to resolve border disputes between neighbouring countries.

In turn, Thailand accused Cambodia of violating MoU 2000, by bringing the border dispute, over four ancient border temples, to the International Court of Justice.

“Thailand had waited for 12 years for Cambodia to host the JBC meeting and had repeatedly called for such meeting, before the last JBC meeting on June 14-15 in Phnom Penh,” said the Thai Foreign Ministry, as it dismissed a Cambodian allegation that Thailand is responsible for the disruption of the JBC process.

“Thailand has never withdrawn from the process, but has called for it all along,” said the ministry, as it urged Cambodia to abide by its obligation to resolve the border dispute with Thailand peacefully and within the JBC framework.

Meanwhile, the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Protection Command ordered the opening of the permanent border checkpoint at Ban Laem in Pong Namron district of Chanthaburi province today, to allow the exit to Cambodia of a Cambodian army general, Lao Boon Moeng, after he had received treatment for prostate cancer at the World Medical Hospital in Bangkok.

Also today, in the Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province, the Burapha Task Force ordered the temporary opening of the Klong Luk border checkpoint, to allow the entry of a senior Cambodian army officer, Lt-Gen Pech Wanna, for emergency treatment for a severe stomach ache at Kasemrad International Hospital.