Thailand seeks lasting ceasefire, urges Cambodia not to complicate border issue

2026-03-14 - 04:53

BANGKOK — Thailand wants a sustainable ceasefire along the Thai–Cambodian border and hopes to rebuild trust to restore bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on 13 March. Sihasak said Thailand’s intention is to move forward and revive relations between the two neighbours, but he expressed concern that Cambodia may be moving in the opposite direction as its statements and actions appear inconsistent. He noted that Cambodia has raised the issue at several international forums, including the United Nations Security Council, UNESCO, and the International Court of Justice, which he said has made resolving the situation more difficult. Regarding Cambodia’s call to convene the Joint Boundary Commission meeting, Sihasak said Thailand is prepared to consider it but prefers to wait until a new government is formed, as border matters require careful procedures. Thailand’s priority, he said, is to ensure the situation progresses in a positive direction without undermining efforts to resolve issues through bilateral mechanisms. Sihasak also said he had learned that a delegation from South Korea visited Cambodia and reportedly urged lawmakers there not to sell aircraft to Thailand. He said bringing third countries into the dispute was inappropriate and called on Cambodia to focus on improving relations rather than making the situation more complicated.