Cambodia takes Thailand to World Court after fatal border clash
After a deadly border incident and inconclusive talks, Cambodia is now unilaterally appealing to the International Court of Justice
A Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief skirmish on May 28 in a confrontation over the 820km (510-mile) frontier, parts of which are undemarcated and claimed by both nations.
“Cambodia chooses a peaceful resolution based on international law through the ICJ mechanism for solving the border dispute,” Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on his Facebook page.
The post showed a picture of Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn holding an envelope that Hun Manet said contained a formal letter to the ICJ in The Hague, often called the World Court.
The Thai Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Cambodia’s move. Bangkok has previously said it has never recognised the court’s jurisdiction and prefers to settle the disputes through bilateral mechanisms.
Talks on border demarcation over the weekend between officials from both countries were inconclusive, with both sides pledging to de-escalate tensions and continue dialogue.