Border De-escalation: Thailand and Cambodia Confirm Military Stand-Down

A significant step towards border de-escalation has been confirmed, as Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a military stand-down, returning their troops to previous border positions. This follows a deadly clash on May 28, which resulted in a Cambodian soldier’s death and prompted both nations to reinforce their presence along the disputed frontier.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the agreement, stating a mutual desire to ease the heightened tensions that emerged from the incident. This aligns with prior statements from Thai defense officials, who had expressed confidence in reaching an understanding to restore the border situation to its 2024 configuration.
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.