(Phnom Penh): The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), with unanimous support from both the National Assembly and the Senate, has officially submitted the territorial dispute with Thailand over four sensitive border areas—Mom Bei, Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Tauch Temple, and Ta Krabei Temple—to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The referral was made on 2 June 2025.

In a statement issued on 4 June 2025, the RGC underscored, “This incident is among several concerning developments that underscore the limitations of current dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing longstanding points of contention along our shared border. In light of this, and in the interest of securing a fair, impartial, and sustainable solution, on 02 June, 2025, the RGC has decided to refer the dispute over four sensitive areas—Mom Bei, Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Tauch Temple, and Ta Krabei Temple—to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

These four areas have long remained unresolved and sensitive, with the potential to escalate tensions if left unaddressed. This decision received unanimous support from the First Joint Congress of the National Assembly and Senate, the same day.”

The statement added, “While pursuing legal resolution at the ICJ, the RGC remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy. Cambodia will continue to engage through existing bilateral frameworks and will host the next meeting of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) on 14 June 2025 in Phnom Penh.

However, given the referral to the ICJ, the four aforementioned areas will not be included on the agenda of the upcoming JBC session.

Cambodia expresses its hope that Thailand will cooperate in jointly referring this case to the IC, in the spirit of fairness, trust-building, long-term friendship and good neighborliness. Nevertheless, should cooperation not be forthcoming, Cambodia stands prepared to proceed independently.”
=FRESH NEWS