Cambodia-Thailand Border and Maritime Disputes

Cambodia and Thailand maintained a persistent border conflict involving both land and maritime areas, with diplomatic efforts stalled despite existing resolution mechanisms. Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to raise the dispute at the Francophonie summit, while Thailand conceded Cambodia's right to voice the issue but maintained its sovereignty claims. Tensions persisted along the shared border, with ongoing incidents reported but no significant military action. In early September, Thailand released two Cambodian fishermen detained for seven months on illegal entry claims, as the nations entered a compulsory conciliation process. Thailand initiated its first UNCLOS conciliation process with Cambodia to address maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Thailand. The UN opened hearings on the sea border dispute, and Cambodia sought a comprehensive maritime boundary treaty. Cambodia and Thailand held the first meeting of the UNCLOS Compulsory Conciliation Commission in Singapore, aiming to resolve maritime disputes and support the December 27 ceasefire. Cambodia submitted three proposed resolutions, challenging Thailand to offer practical legal solutions. Thailand adopted a combative stance, mixing maritime and land issues and accusing Cambodia of playing the victim. Border tensions escalated physically in mid-September. Cambodia installed barbed wire and trenches near Hill 178, which Thailand condemned as provocative. Conversely, Cambodia accused Thailand of breaching the ceasefire by constructing an earthen trench near Boundary Pillar No. 9 in Oddar Meanchey province. Cambodia lodged a formal protest, stating unilateral changes cannot redraw international borders. Cambodia’s Information Minister warned that narratives and military positions alone cannot establish sovereignty, emphasizing evidence and international law. Diplomatic friction intensified at the UN General Assembly. Cambodia’s Foreign Minister urged Thailand to implement border agreements, resume demarcation, and allow 20,000 displaced civilians to return. Thailand’s Prime Minister criticized Cambodia’s international advocacy. Thai diplomat Cherdchai Chaivaivid urged Cambodia to remain silent on border issues, claiming Thailand respected the December 27, 2025 ceasefire despite reports of displacement due to occupation. Cambodia defended its use of international conciliation mechanisms in response to this criticism. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia called for the return of 20,000 displaced civilians, aligning with the December 27 agreement. The dispute remains unresolved, with Cambodia pursuing maritime conciliation and land demarcation while Thailand contests Cambodia’s international framing of the conflict. Both nations continue to assert their positions, with the maritime conciliation process ongoing and land border tensions persisting.