Prime Minister Hun Manet has clarified Cambodia’s position regarding future meetings with Thailand under the framework of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). He noted that a meeting scheduled for last month was postponed as the Thai side had not confirmed their attendance.
In a social media post, today, October 8, Manet explained that Cambodia is still waiting for Thailand to confirm the composition of the new meeting.
“Cambodia hopes there will be a JBC meeting in the near future to resolve this issue,” he wrote.
Thailand recently threatened to use their domestic laws to evict Cambodian citizens from two villages in Banteay Meanchey province’s O Beichoan commune. Despite the fact that Cambodians have dwelt there peacefully for decades, Thailand alleges encroachment on their territory. The precise border demarcation lines in the area remain disputed by both sides.
The Thai authorities are reportedly planning to use unilateral force to carry out the eviction on October 10, with Thailand’s First Army Region commanders rejecting Cambodian’s invitation for another Regional Border Committee meeting.
According to the prime minister, the minutes of agreement from the first special meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) on September 10 in Koh Kong province, signed by Cambodian Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha and his Thai counterpart Nattaphon Narkphanit, clearly stated that issues related to border management must be left to the JBC to resolve as they have a mandate on joint demarcation measurements and border lines.
He explained that both sides agreed to make this issue a priority agenda item at the next JBC meeting, and both sides have entrusted the Regional Border Committee (RBC) to discuss the management of this issue as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with the outcome of a previous JBC meeting, held in Phnom Penh in mid-June.
At that time, both sides agreed to meet again in September. However, armed clashes erupted from July 24 to 28, leading to leadership changes within Thailand and the meeting was not held.
Thailand’s new prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul announced on October 7 that there are good reasons for the delay, but would not specify what they were. He also noted that those responsible for this matter have been granted authority to proceed.
