Cambodia to Take Thai Border Dispute to International Court

Phnom Penh, June 2, 2025_ Cambodia has announced it will file an official complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve a longstanding territorial dispute with neighboring Thailand. The issue, which centers around contested land along the shared border, has been a point of diplomatic tension for decades and periodically flares into conflict.

According to Cambodian Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, the government has exhausted all bilateral avenues and now seeks **a legal resolution under international law**. “We believe peaceful and lawful arbitration is the best path forward,” he stated at a press briefing, adding that the move is intended to preserve regional stability and avoid escalation.

The disputed area includes land near the **Preah Vihear Temple**, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that both countries lay claim to. In 1962, the ICJ ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but surrounding territory remains contested. Occasional skirmishes and troop buildups in the area have heightened nationalistic sentiments on both sides.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded cautiously, saying it is reviewing the situation and reaffirming its commitment to peaceful negotiation. Analysts suggest the court filing could **reshape the diplomatic landscape in Southeast Asia**, especially as both nations seek to balance nationalism with economic cooperation.

The ICJ is expected to conduct a preliminary review before proceeding with full hearings, a process that may take months or even years. Meanwhile, ASEAN observers have urged both countries to maintain open dialogue and avoid military provocation.

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