Cambodia calls for border commitments and defends UNCLOS move after Thai criticism

Cambodia has called on Thailand to carry out existing border agreements, restart joint demarcation work and permit more than 20,000 displaced Cambodian civilians to return to their homes. It also defended its decision to seek international conciliation over the two countries’ maritime dispute.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly on September 26, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said recent tensions had badly weakened trust between the neighbouring states. He said the fallout included damage to cultural heritage sites and continuing dangers from unexploded ordnance.

He said restoring confidence was essential for the future of bilateral ties and for lasting peace between the two countries.

Sokhonn’s remarks followed a September 25 address by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who told the assembly that Cambodia had not allowed bilateral dialogue a real opportunity and had instead begun compulsory conciliation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.

Sokhonn did not mention Anutin by name or directly respond to his statement.

Land border and demarcation

The Cambodian minister said Phnom Penh remained committed to resolving border issues peacefully. He urged full implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, the Fuxian Consensus and especially the joint statement dated December 27, 2025.

According to Sokhonn, that statement committed both sides to avoid the threat or use of force, respect international borders, lower tensions and work toward normal relations.

He said a swift return to survey and demarcation work by the Joint Boundary Commission would help resolve remaining claims and establish a mutually accepted boundary under international law and existing agreements.

Sokhonn also said more than 20,000 Cambodian civilians were still unable to return home because of continued military occupation and obstruction. He said activities in areas Cambodia regards as occupied, if they risk creating or entrenching a fait accompli, should stop.

Maritime dispute and UNCLOS

On the separate maritime issue, Sokhonn said Thailand’s May decision to end the 2001 memorandum of understanding had removed the only bilateral legal framework created specifically to handle the dispute.

He said Cambodia therefore turned to compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS. He described the conciliation commission’s first meeting in Singapore earlier this month as a chance to narrow differences and rebuild confidence.

Anutin told the UN that Thailand was taking part in the UNCLOS process in good faith. He also called for practical cooperation on border security, online scams and demining.

The Thai prime minister said Thailand had not sought conflict and argued that peace required both countries to work together sincerely.

Online scams and security concerns

Sokhonn also identified online scam operations as a serious issue, saying their suppression was among Cambodia’s top national priorities.

He said criminal networks operate across borders and require stronger international cooperation. He pointed to a conference Cambodia hosted this week with international partners as part of that effort.

The two UN speeches presented different views of how trust between Cambodia and Thailand deteriorated and how it should be restored. Cambodia is pressing for renewed land-border demarcation and compliance with ceasefire commitments while continuing the UNCLOS conciliation process on the maritime dispute. Thailand has questioned Cambodia’s use of that process and called for stronger bilateral cooperation on security along the shared border.