Cambodia turns to World Court over Thailand border disputes

15/6/2025 18:19

Cambodia said on Sunday it had asked the International Court of Justice to resolve its border disputes with Thailand, after a flare-up in their long-running row led the Southeast Asian neighbours to mobilise troops on both sides of the border.



A Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief skirmish on May 28 in a confrontation over the 820-km frontier, parts of which are undemarcated and claimed by both nations.



Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on his Facebook page, "Cambodia chooses a peaceful resolution based on international law through the ICJ mechanism for solving the border dispute."



The post showed a picture of Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn holding an envelope that Hun Manet said contained a formal letter to the ICJ in The Hague, often called the World Court.



Bangkok has previously said it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction and prefers to settle the disputes through bilateral mechanisms.



Talks on border demarcation over the weekend between officials from both countries were inconclusive with both sides pledging to de-escalate tensions and continue dialogue.