AKP Phnom Penh, June 17, 2025 --

H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has held a high-level briefing with foreign ambassadors accredited to Cambodia to provide an update on the developments concerning the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute.

The meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Phnom Penh this morning.

Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn addressed several critical points during the session. He first drew attention to the incident on May 28, 2025, when Thai troops allegedly crossed into Cambodian territory in the Mom Bei area and opened fire on a Cambodian army post, resulting in the death of Cambodian soldier Suon Rorn.

Secondly, he highlighted the increasing tension along the border. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that despite Cambodia’s restraint, the Thai side has continued to accuse Cambodia of initiating the conflict, while simultaneously escalating unilateral actions that have worsened the situation.

According to H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Thailand’s recent measures—including the unilateral restriction of border gate hours, threats to cut off internet services and electricity supply to Cambodia—constitute acts of provocation and intimidation.

While reaffirming Cambodia’s commitment to peace and its desire to prevent tensions from spilling over into other sectors beyond the military sector, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the Royal Government of Cambodia, under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, has adopted a series of defensive measures. These include military, diplomatic, legal, and administrative actions such as the closure of Daung border crossing, suspension of purchasing internet bandwidth from Thailand and screening of Thai films, and heightened readiness to safeguard Cambodia’s sovereignty, interests, and national dignity.

He stressed that these actions are not offensive but are undertaken in defence of justice, integrity, national interests, and the dignity of the Cambodian people.

In related news, on June 16, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. local time in The Hague (4:30 p.m. Phnom Penh time), H.E. Ms. Kimsour Sovannary, Cambodia’s Ambassador to the Netherlands with residence in Brussels, personally delivered a letter from Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn to Mr. Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The letter formally informs the ICJ of the Royal Government of Cambodia’s intention to file a case regarding the ongoing border dispute with Thailand. The contested areas include the Mom Bei area and the temple complexes of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch and Ta Krabei.

The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Cambodia’s position: the Kingdom seeks justice, accuracy and clarity, and final resolution of border demarcation with its neighbours in accordance with international law, to ensure future generations are not burdened by unresolved territorial disputes.

He affirmed that Cambodia respects peace and international law, has no intention of claiming even one millimetre of another country’s land, but likewise, will not cede even one millimetre of its own.

By K. Rithy Reak