Border fears resurface as UN starts Thai-Cambodian sea border dispute hearing - Bangkok Post
The road from Ban Kruat in Buri Ram to Chong Saitaku, the pass on the border with Cambodia. (Photo: Surachai Piraksa) BURI RAM - Villagers in a district bordering Cambodia are worried tensions could again escalate as Thailand and Cambodia meet for the first time under a UN-faciliated process aimed at settling their disputed maritime boundary.
Ban Kruat was targeted by Cambodian soldiers during the border war with Thailand last year. At least 70 artillery shells landed in the area at the height of the armed clashes in July, forcing residents to temporarily evacuate inland for their own safety.
These people were fretting again on Monday, worried the conflict would return to haunt them, as the Conciliation Commission, set up under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), began a three-day meeting at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in Singapore on Monday.
Local resident Phadet Pholchim said he was worried that border tensions would return as the meeting in Singapore proceeded. He just hoped the two countries would end their conflict peacefully.
His neighbours echoed his concerns.
Ban Kruat connects with Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province through the Chong Saitaku border pass.
The conciliation panel comprises five members, two each selected by Thailand and Cambodia, and a chairwoman, Katrina Cooper, appointed by the PCA.
Cambodia turned to international mediation under Unclos in a bid to sort out the maritime border dispute with Thailand. The move came after the Thai government unilaterally terminated a 2001 memorandum of understanding on joint maritime development and sea demarcation, citing lack of progress.
An image posted on the @noansereiboth X account showed a group photo of the Thai and Cambodian delegations, the conciliation chair and other people on the first day of the meeting.
Separate opening statements will be made on Tuesday by Prak Sokhonn, representing Cambodia, and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
Veteran Prak Sokhonn is deputy prime minister and foreign and international cooperation minister of Cambodia.
Cambodia will broadcast the opening statements live on Tuesday in Khmer, Thai and English languages, according to Fresh News. However, it was not clear whether the speech made by Mr Sisasak will be included in the broadcast.
On Monday, the Thai Foreign Ministry said in a social media post after Mr Sihasak arrived in Singapore that Thailand would defend its sovereignty and national interests under international law.
The Thai government has insisted on several occasions that the outcome of the meeting will not be legally binding.
The Cambodian Foreign and International Cooperation Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Phnom Penh hoped for a solution that would end maritime boundary differences and unlock opportunities to develop gas and oil resources in the Gulf of Thailand.
