BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s foreign minister pushed for a lasting ceasefire on the Cambodian border while warning against shifting the dispute to international arenas.
Bangkok seeks restart, but with reservations
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on 13 March that Thailand wanted to move forward and revive relations with its neighbour. He stressed that Bangkok aimed to rebuild trust and stabilise the situation along the shared frontier.
At the same time, he voiced concern that Cambodia appeared to be heading in the opposite direction. Statements and actions from Phnom Penh did not match, he said, creating uncertainty over the direction of the relationship.
International forums emerge as flashpoint
According to Sihasak, Cambodia repeatedly raised the border issue at international institutions. These included the UN Security Council, UNESCO and the International Court of Justice.
He argued that this made a resolution more difficult from Thailand’s perspective. Moving the conflict away from bilateral channels into politically charged arenas risked complicating efforts to reach a mutually acceptable outcome.
Border commission talks delayed
Responding to Cambodia’s call for a meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission, Sihasak expressed readiness to talk but tied this to the formation of a new Thai government. Only after that point, he indicated, would Bangkok be prepared to convene the body.
Border issues required careful procedures, he said, and Thailand wanted to avoid any hasty step that might weaken the chances of a durable understanding. The commission’s work should proceed in a way that supported, rather than undermined, long-term stability.
Bilateral mechanisms take precedence
Thailand’s priority was for the situation to develop in a positive direction without undercutting efforts to resolve problems through bilateral mechanisms. From Bangkok’s viewpoint, these direct channels remained the most appropriate way to manage the conflict.
The government therefore signalled that a ceasefire and renewed confidence should be secured primarily through direct coordination with Phnom Penh. International escalation, officials suggested, risked overshadowing quiet negotiations.
Thai warning over third-party involvement
Sihasak also said he had learned that a delegation from South Korea had visited Cambodia. According to his account, the group allegedly pressed Cambodian lawmakers not to sell aircraft to Thailand.
Drawing third countries into the dispute was inappropriate, he emphasised.
“Third parties should not be pulled into this dispute,”
said Sihasak Phuangketkeow, foreign minister.
“Cambodia should focus on improving relations instead of further complicating the situation.”
said Sihasak Phuangketkeow, foreign minister.