The Cambodian government has officially submitted a case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, seeking a legal resolution to an ongoing border dispute with Thailand. The case, filed on June 2, 2025, centres on four contested areas near the frontier: the so-called “Emerald Triangle” region, Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Tauch Temple, and Ta Krabei Temple.
In a statement issued on June 4, 2025, Phnom Penh confirmed that despite pursuing legal action, Cambodia remains committed to dialogue and diplomatic channels with Thailand through existing bilateral frameworks. However, officials said these four disputed zones will not be included on the agenda for the upcoming Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting scheduled for June 14, 2025, citing the sensitive and unresolved nature of the disputes, which could risk escalating tensions further.
The government expressed hope that Thailand would cooperate in bringing the case before the ICJ in the spirit of justice, mutual trust, and good neighbourly relations. At the same time, Cambodian authorities made clear they are prepared to proceed with the case unilaterally should Thailand decline to participate.
According to the same statement, Cambodia’s decision to seek international arbitration followed the fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier by Thai forces, which Phnom Penh claims was unprovoked. The incident, it said, constituted a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as of the principles of good neighbourliness outlined in a 2000 memorandum of understanding between the two countries.
The Cambodian government reiterated its long-standing foreign policy of peaceful diplomacy and regional cooperation, a position it says has been consistent since gaining independence, with the exception of the Khmer Rouge era. It stressed that even in moments of heightened tension, it has prioritised peaceful solutions.
In response, the Thai government released its own statement on June 4, 2025, expressing readiness to address border disagreements through bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and General Border Committee (GBC). The Thai side reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful resolution in line with international law, referencing the 2000 MoU and other agreements.
However, Bangkok did not comment on Cambodia’s move to take the dispute to the International Court of Justice. In addition to the 2000 memorandum, joint statements from 2009 and a trilateral meeting in Siem Reap on October 3, 2009, involving Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand expressed interest in jointly developing the disputed border zone, known as the Emerald Triangle.
Commenting on the development, Sek Socheat, a researcher and adviser on development and strategic issues, told The Cambodia Daily he fully supports the government’s decision to pursue legal action at the ICJ. He noted that public and political support for this move appears strong across various sectors.
Socheat explained that the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute has persisted for decades despite existing agreements. He attributed the ongoing tensions to what he described as Thai encroachment and opportunistic diplomacy.
He expressed hope that Cambodia would stay the course in seeking international legal resolution, asserting that a clear and lawful determination of national borders is crucial to preventing future conflict and ensuring Thailand cannot continue using the dispute to provoke instability.
