By PPTVHD36 and Thai Newsroom
PRIME Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said this evening (May 7) after a trilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is the Asean chair and initiated the talks in Cebu City, that foreign ministers of the two neighbouring countries will be working together to develop practical confidence-building measures.
Asean leaders and representatives have arrived at Cebu City for the 48th Asean summit and related meetings amid economic uncertainty brought on by the escalating Middle East crisis.
After the trilateral talks, with this being the first meeting between Anutin and Hun Manet since last October two months before deadly clashes broke out along parts of the border, a press conference was held in alphabetical order, starting with the Philippine President as Asean Chair, followed by the Cambodian Prime Minister, then the Thai Prime Minister.
Anutin thanked Marcos for initiating this important meeting and revealed that he had a constructive and forward-looking discussion with Hun Manet. The discussions were frank and meaningful with this being a significant opportunity to reaffirm the two countries’ shared commitment to dialogue and maintaining peace.
Thailand and Cambodia are close neighbours with many dimensions of connection,he said, adding conflict brings loss and suffering to all parties and further reflects the value of peace. Therefore, it is time for the two countries to open a new chapter in their relationship, which requires sincerity, honesty, and a shared commitment to overcome challenges.
As the foreign ministers of the two countries work together to develop a list of practical confidence-building measures this would be a key mechanism for restoring trust and gradually strengthening bilateral relations, he added.
Anutin stressed that Thailand and Cambodia need to move forward together gradually and in the same direction. He indicated that during the implementation process, both sides should communicate more directly at all levels to help bridge the gap in understanding and jointly seek ways to expand cooperation in mutually beneficial areas.
Regarding land and maritime border issues, the Thai Prime Minister proposed an approach for discussions to move forward on these issues based on the principle of good neighbourliness.
Meanwhile Hun Manet reaffirmed that border disputes with Thailand must be resolved through existing bilateral mechanisms and international law, rejecting what Phnom Penh described as “fait accompli on the ground”, Phnom Penh Post said.
He stressed that Cambodia would not accept any attempt to alter borders through force or unilateral actions on the ground.
“Cambodia reiterates that the border cannot be changed or determined by force or through fait accompli,” he said.
The Cambodian premier called for the “full and immediate implementation” of the joint statement agreed on Dec. 27, 2025, particularly the provisions requiring border demarcation work to proceed through the existing Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) mechanism, without further delay.
Manet explained that the JBC remained the essential framework for resolving border disputes and ensuring practical implementation of agreements reached by both sides.
“Cambodia believes that this mechanism will be essential to ensure even and practical effective implementation,” he said.
Beyond land disputes, Manet noted that Cambodia and Thailand also discussed overlapping maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand, with Phnom Penh reaffirming its intention to pursue peaceful settlement mechanisms based on international law.
Cambodia recently announced plans to initiate compulsory conciliation proceedings under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) following Thailand’s withdrawal from a 2001 Memorandum of Understanding governing maritime negotiations.
CAPTION:
Shaking hands after the trilateral meeting are from right Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Photo – PPTVHD36
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