Numerous foreign diplomats have congratulated positive developments in the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, including the implementation of the current ceasefire, but the goal of reopening land borders for trade remains a hotly contested argument.
The September 10 General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, hosted by Cambodia in Koh Kong province, resulted in several positive signs of progress, including an agreement to withdraw heavy weapons and military equipment and cooperation on demining, combating transnational crimes, online scams and resolving the contested area of Nong Chan through the bilateral Joint Boundary Committee (JBC).
“The British embassy welcomes the positive progress made at the 10 September Special General Border Committee meeting between Cambodia and Thailand, including the reaffirmation of peaceful cooperation, humanitarian demining and joint efforts to tackle cross-border challenges,” said the embassy, in a September 11 statement.
“We encourage both sides to continue implementing the agreed plans, and support ASEAN’s ongoing efforts to promote peace and development in the region,” it added.
Also welcoming the progress was the Chinese embassy, via a same-day social media post.
“China has made and will continue to make unremitting efforts to fully and effectively implement the ceasefire agreement and restore normal Cambodia-Thailand relations at an early date,” said the embassy.
Derek Yip, Australian ambassador to Cambodia, took to X to express his support.
“Australia welcomes the outcome of the General Border Commission meeting on September 10, including undertakings that would help restore trust, build confidence & pave the way for a peaceful, sustainable resolution to the border dispute,” he said, on September 11.
Japan was the first country to show their support to the outcome of the meeting, with a press statement issue by their foreign ministry on September 10.
“Japan welcomes that Cambodia and Thailand held the General Border Committee on September 10 with progress in discussions regarding the establishment of the ASEAN Observer Team, demining and resumption of cross-border logistics, which represents an important outcome to advance the ceasefire agreement between the two countries,” it said.
But Japan’s request to open some border checkpoint to ease supply chains received mixed reactions, both in Cambodia and Thailand.
Yan Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, believed it was too early to open the border checkpoints, as Thailand cannot be trusted as they have not shown reliable signs of respecting the ceasefire agreement and continue to behave “arrogantly”.
“The Thai side is the one who provoked the situation, right at the start of the heavy armed clashes. They also arrested Cambodian soldiers after the ceasefire came into effect and they laid razor wire to take Cambodian homes in Couk Chey and Prey Chan villages. All of these actions show Thailand’s arrogance, with no signs of easing up,” he said.
“Both Cambodia and Thailand had several agreements and MoUs, but Thailand has not respected them. So, will they care about sticking to their word? How can we trust them? I don’t support the reopening of the land border, based on the current situation,” he added.
In Thailand, the military was also reportedly against the reopening of the border, with Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, saying it would be a security risk and could lead to a rise in scams and illegal gambling. He even warned that reopening the border crossing would strengthen Cambodia’s economy, according to The Nation Thailand media outlet.
However, the same outlet also reported a Thai defence ministry official as saying that the authorities in a less-tense area, Zone 3 in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, are preparing to ease restrictions and reopen border checkpoints.
Before the outbreak off the conflict, Cambodian leaders said they would not consider opening its borders until Thailand, who closed them unilaterally, announced that they will open all checkpoints.
Once Thailand announces a full re-opening, Cambodia would need just hours to open their own, they explained.
