05.06.2025 – (04:30 PM) Htate

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on June 2 that he would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over a border dispute with Thailand.

Manet made the remarks after a shootout on the Thai-Cambodian border that left a Cambodian soldier dead.

“We hope that Thailand will agree with Cambodia to join the ICJ in filing the case to prevent another armed confrontation over the border dispute,” Hun Sen said during a meeting with lawmakers.

In 2008, military clashes over a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia led to years of violence that left at least 28 people dead.

On May 28, Thailand, Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire in the Emerald Triangle, a joint border area between Cambodia and Laos, killing one Cambodian soldier.

A day after the shooting, Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry sent a letter to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, demanding an immediate investigation into the incident.

Cambodia said the incident was a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and would seek a peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels.

In that case, if Thailand did not agree to take the matter to the ICJ, Cambodia would take the matter to the ICJ, Hun Manet said.

The border dispute was instigated by small extremist groups in both countries, and further conflict was likely, he said.

AFP has asked the Thai Foreign Ministry for comment on the matter, but it has not responded.