De-escalation in Progress: Thailand, Cambodia Agree on Border Troop Moves

A significant step towards de-escalation has been taken as Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to reposition their military forces to their previous border stations. This decision follows a recent fatal clash in an undemarcated area on May 28, which prompted both countries to increase their military presence along the shared frontier.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the agreement, stating a mutual desire to ease the heightened tensions that resulted from the incident. This development aligns with previous assurances from Thai defense officials, who indicated that negotiations were underway to revert to troop positions established in 2024.
The long-standing border issues between the two nations are rooted in the complex mapping conducted by France in 1907 during Cambodia’s colonial period. These historical ambiguities have led to recurrent disputes over sovereignty at various points along the extensive 817 km (508 miles) shared border.
Looking forward, both countries plan to engage in bilateral talks, including a Joint Boundary Committee meeting on June 14, to resolve the border issues. However, Cambodia has reiterated its call for the International Court of Justice to provide a “fair, impartial, and durable resolution,” a stance that Thailand has consistently opposed, favoring bilateral negotiations instead.