Troops to Revert to Previous Positions After Deadly Thailand-Cambodia Clash

In the aftermath of a deadly border clash, Thailand and Cambodia have reached an agreement to withdraw their military forces to their original positions along the disputed frontier. This decision aims to significantly reduce the heightened tensions that arose following the May 28 incident, which saw a Cambodian soldier killed and led to a substantial military buildup by both nations.
Cambodia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the accord, emphasizing the shared objective of de-escalating the situation in the undemarcated border area. This confirmation echoes prior statements from Thai defense officials, who had expressed confidence in reaching an understanding to revert to the troop deployments of the previous year.
The historical context of the border disputes, tracing back to French colonial mapping in 1907, contributes to the ongoing challenges in establishing clear sovereignty. The countries share a lengthy border with numerous contested points, which have periodically erupted into conflict over the decades.
While both nations are committed to bilateral talks, including a Joint Boundary Committee meeting on June 14, Cambodia has formally renewed its appeal for the International Court of Justice to intervene. This contrasts with Thailand’s steadfast preference for resolving all boundary-related matters through direct, bilateral negotiations.