(Phnom Penh): Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, stated that Cambodia respectfully requested law-abiding nations to encourage Thailand to pursue legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.

He added that Cambodia is not requesting weapons or ammunition to resolve tensions with Thailand. Instead, the Kingdom seeks encouragement for a peaceful resolution—through bilateral dialogue and the legal means.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen wrote on his social media on Friday (Jun. 13) as follows:

Dear fellow Cambodians, whom I deeply respect and love,
Esteemed foreign friends,

At this point, both my compatriots and our international friends may now better understand why I decided to instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cambodia’s representatives at the United Nations General Assembly to vote against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in 2022—a move that surprised many countries regarding Cambodia’s position.

I have always believed that one day Thailand might repeat actions similar to those taken between 2008 and 2011. Today, we are already witnessing acts of aggression and disregard for international law. Therefore, my decision can now be understood—both by the international law-abiding community and in the context of Cambodia’s future relations with Thailand. Cambodia calls upon all states that uphold a foreign policy based on rule of law to encourage both parties to resolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law.

Cambodia requests that law-abiding nations encourage Thailand to resolve our border disputes through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), specifically on the following four critical points:

1. The Emerald Triangle area between Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand;
2. Ta Moan Thom Temple;
3. Ta Moan Tauch Temple;
4. Ta Krabei Temple.

Cambodia is not asking for weapons or ammunition leading to bloodshed with Thailand. Instead, Cambodia seeks encouragement toward peaceful resolution—through bilateral dialogue and legal means. The Cambodia-Thailand border spans over 800 kilometers. Cambodia is raising only four areas—those identified as sensitive and prone to potential armed conflict—to be resolved in advance through the courts. These four issues cannot be settled through bilateral mechanisms even within the next 100 years. Therefore, only the ICJ is capable of resolving them.

Resorting to the legal path does not constitute war-mongering. It is a peaceful, lawful approach that helps prevent future bloodshed. For governments, resolving matters through the courts also provides a clearer way to explain outcomes to their own citizens—even in the face of unfavorable rulings.

Among ASEAN countries, we have good examples: Indonesia and Malaysia, Singapore and Malaysia—all of whom brought territorial disputes before the ICJ and accepted the court’s rulings. As a result, diplomatic relations between these countries remain strong, with no lasting tensions.

Evading legal resolution is tantamount to committing violations and disregarding the rule of law in a global order that values and respects legal norms."
=FRESH NEWS