The sixth meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) commenced at 11.45am on June 14 in Phnom Penh.
Originally scheduled for 10am, the meeting was delayed to allow for a preliminary closed-door discussion between the two parties.
The Cambodian delegation is being led by Lam Chea, Minister in charge of the Secretariat of Border Affairs, while the Thai delegation is headed by Prasas Prasasvinitchai, former Thai Ambassador to Cambodia in 2009, now serving as an advisor on border affairs for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The JBC meeting is the first in 12 years. Issues related to the disputed Ta Moan Toch, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabei temples, as well as the Mom Bei “emerald triangle” area are not on the agenda, nor is the issue of Thailand’s unilateral border restrictions.
As of 12.30, no outcomes had been reported. Unless scheduling changes occur, the meeting is expected to continue until 7pm.
The meeting is taking place amid heightened border tensions between the two neighbouring Kingdoms, including Thailand’s unilateral border restrictions and threats to cut off electricity and internet supplies to Cambodia. These developments followed a brief exchange of fire between the two countries’ armed forces on May 28.
Cambodia has responded to threats from Thai ultranationalists, reportedly backed by the Thai military, by cutting off internet and electricity supplies from Thailand and closing the Doung International Border Checkpoint.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced that Cambodia will file a complaint with the International Court of Justice on June 15, coinciding with the 63rd anniversary of Cambodia’s victory in the Preah Vihear Temple case against Thailand.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on June 13 that Thailand’s next steps will depend on the outcome of this meeting.
Analysts warned that with both countries pursuing different approaches to resolving the dispute, tensions along the border could escalate further.
