THE CAMBODIAN government today (June 5) said the issue of three disputed temples and a contested area will not be included in the agenda of the upcoming Joint Border Committee meeting as it has been decided to refer the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Naewna newspaper and Khmer Times news site said.
The three temples are Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Ta Muen Tot, Prasat Ta Khwai (called Prasat Ta Krabey in Cambodian language) and Mombei area.
“Cambodia expresses its hope that Thailand will cooperate in jointly referring this case to the ICJ, in the spirit of fairness, trust-building, long-term friendship and good neighbourliness. Nevertheless, should cooperation not be forthcoming, Cambodia stands prepared to proceed independently,” read the statement.
At the same time, it added, Cambodia remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy. Cambodia will continue to engage through existing bilateral frameworks and will host the next JBC meeting on June 14, 2025 in Phnom Penh.
Cambodia also said that peaceful settlement of disputes has been evident in actions previously taken, including referrals to the International Court of Justice, which led to Cambodia’s victory in 1962 and again in 2013 in the border dispute with Thailand. These actions reflect a deep commitment to international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
In 1962, ICJ awarded ownership of Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia by a nine to three vote, stating the 1907 map clearly showed Preah Vihear as being in Cambodia. Nevertheless, the court had only ruled that the temple belong to Cambodia, and did not comment on the adjacent land to the north. Thailand reluctantly handed over the temple but continues to claim the surrounding area, insisting the border has never officially been demarcated here, Wikipedia said.
On November 11, 2013, ICJ declared in a unanimous decision that the 1962 ICJ judgment had awarded all of the promontory of Preah Vihear to Cambodia and that Thailand had an obligation to withdraw any Thai military, police, or guard forces stationed in that area. However, it rejected Cambodia’s argument that the judgment had also awarded the hill of Phnom Trap (three kilometres northwest of the temple) to Cambodia, finding that it had made no ruling on sovereignty over the hill.
CAPTION:
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet next to the statement, above, and addressing a press conference, Front Page. Top photo: Naewna, Front Page photo: Amarin TV
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