Cambodia and Thailand presented conflicting positions at the United Nations General Assembly regarding their ongoing border dispute, with each nation accusing the other of insufficient efforts towards resolution and calling for increased trust. Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn urged Thailand to adhere to existing bilateral agreements, resume border survey and demarcation activities, and facilitate the return of displaced civilians to their homes. Sokhonn emphasized that recent tensions had negatively impacted bilateral relations and affected civilians and cultural heritage. He called for both countries to honor previous commitments, avoid further escalation, and respect international law.
The unresolved maritime dispute between the two countries remains a significant issue. Cambodia has committed to resolving this through international law and initiated compulsory conciliation proceedings under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea after Thailand terminated the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding that had provided a framework for addressing maritime issues. In response, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the conciliation process should focus solely on maritime boundary delimitation and called for Cambodia to engage in constructive bilateral dialogue to rebuild trust.
Anutin also highlighted the need for increased cooperation on border security, demining, and efforts to combat online scam networks that operate across the region. Both nations have stressed the importance of addressing disputes through existing agreements and international law, with Cambodia favoring this approach and Thailand emphasizing the need for bilateral dialogue and cooperation on security issues.
Since a ceasefire ended a 21-day confrontation last year, the two countries have avoided renewed armed clashes, yet diplomatic tensions persist over unresolved border and related issues. At the UN, representatives from both Cambodia and Thailand underscored the significance of stronger international cooperation and peaceful dispute resolution, highlighting the necessity of continued diplomatic engagement to address their outstanding differences.