Cambodia moves forward with ICJ case over border dispute with Thailand

Cambodian local media reported on Wednesday that the Cambodian government is taking serious steps to bring the ongoing border dispute with Thailand before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

This comes despite Thailand's proposal to resolve the issue through existing bilateral mechanisms. This development is a key event to watch, as representatives from both Thailand and Cambodia are set to meet at the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) in Phnom Penh on June 14.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet shared a document on his Facebook page, announcing the establishment of a committee to prepare documents for the ICJ case. The dispute involves areas such as the Emerald Triangle (Mom Bei), Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, and Ta Krabei temples, with Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, appointed as the committee’s chair.

The same document was also shared on Facebook of Hun Sen, President of Cambodia's Senate, on Wednesday.Khmer Times reported that Cambodia has now fully committed to taking the border conflict to the ICJ. On June 9, the Cambodian Prime Minister announced the formation of a high-level committee to gather evidence and handle the legal proceedings in the ICJ. This decision follows a joint session of both houses of the Cambodian legislature, which voted on June 2 to file the case with the ICJ.

Although Thailand has suggested using bilateral negotiations to resolve the border dispute, Cambodia has continued with its plans to submit the case to the ICJ. The committee will represent Cambodia at the ICJ, overseeing the process from the filing of the case to the court’s final decision.

In addition, the committee will be tasked with selecting international legal advisors to represent Cambodia at the ICJ in The Hague. Legal teams, together with international consultants, will prepare and submit the necessary documents to the ICJ.

The Cambodian government’s announcement specified that the committee will consist of two groups: a legal team led by the Minister of Justice and a diplomatic team headed by the Deputy Minister of Justice.

This move comes just before the JBC meeting scheduled in Phnom Penh on June 14, where the Thai delegation is expected to discuss the matter further.

(2025/06/11-00:00)