Unease grows as Cambodia pushes to resume border talks, Thailand seeks more time
As Cambodia repeatedly presses for border talks, its renewed push to convene the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) has exposed growing unease within Thailand, which insists that internal processes are prerequisites.“Cambodia strongly hopes that the Joint Boundary Commissions of both countries can commence the agreed work swiftly and in good faith, so that the border can be clearly and peacefully delineated,” noted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on 11 April, according to Cambodianess.It was also reported that Cambodia recently submitted a letter calling on Thailand to resume the JBC meeting between 17-25 April.The JBC, established in 1997, is one of the bilateral Thai-Cambodian mechanisms for territorial discussions and demarcation. It was established as a result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 43) signed in 2000.The committee consists of members appointed by both countries and is responsible for the joint survey and demarcation of land boundaries between the two countries, and for maps of the demarcated land boundary.Along the border between Thailand and Cambodia of over 800 kilometres, 74 posts were established for demarcation work. Since the first JBC meeting in 1999, the two countries have already agreed on around 40 posts.According to the joint statement signed on 27 December 2025, both sides agreed to refer the demarcation issue to the JBC and resume the survey and demarcation work at the earliest. They also agreed that “the JBC will accord the first and foremost priority to immediate survey and demarcation work in the affected border areas where civilians reside.”In a request on 28 December 2025, Cambodia initiated a push for a JBC meeting in the first week of January 2026 . However, Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs (SSBA) reported that Thailand postponed the meeting, citing ongoing internal affairs regarding the general elections on 8 February.Thailand remarked that the formation of the new government must be complete before the Thai government could propose dates for talks with Cambodia.Cambodia then renewed its request, proposing a meeting in the second or third week of January 2026. Thailand again postponed, citing internal affairs and the formation of a new cabinet.Cambodia's third renewed push came on 11 April after Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul had delivered a policy statement to parliament.Anutin’s foreign policy during his second term puts a key focus on the border conflict with Cambodia. The government said it will ‘continue efforts to address the Thai-Cambodian situation through a peaceful approach and existing bilateral mechanisms.’Hun Manet later signalled a significant shift in his diplomatic strategy, turning towards direct dialogue and bilateral negotiations as the primary approach to resolving the border issue with Thailand. He cited the speed and efficiency compared with international mechanisms, which often take months or years.He also believed that the Thai government and its Cambodian counterpart are now aligned in seeking a peaceful approach using bilateral frameworks to address the Thai-Cambodian conflict. Meanwhile, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow responded to Cambodia’s third request to call a JBC meeting, asserting that Thailand has to discuss internally the formation of the JBC committee, including changes to its composition on the Thai side.During a press conference on Monday (20 April), Sihasak also said that Cambodia has yet to demonstrate mutual trust, citing its push for a JBC meeting during Thailand’s government transition. He described the move as an apparent attempt to apply pressure and gain an advantage.Although both sides have repeatedly pledged to pursue peaceful solutions, doubts over each side’s sincerity expose deepened mistrust between the two governments, potentially complicating demarcation efforts.In addition, nationalist sentiment has remained a factor shaping the Thai government’s stance. The Anutin administration appears to be taking a more cautious and tougher approach toward Cambodia, particularly after the ruling Bhumjaithai Party’s victory, which was partly gained by appeal to nationalist sentiment.
eng editor 3
Tue, 2026-04-21 - 17:42
News
Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC)
Thai-Cambodian conflicts
Thai-Cambodia relations
Hun Manet
Anutin Charnvirakul
