(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet firmly reiterated that Cambodia will not back down from its decision to resolve its border dispute with Thailand through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), affirming that the government’s position remains unchanged and resolute.

The premier spoke on Tuesday (Jun. 17) at the Closing of Extraordinary General Assembly of Cambodia Scouts in Phnom Penh.

“Our position to go to the ICJ has not changed,” the premier declared. “On the first day, we announced Cambodia’s position; on the second day, we addressed the parliament, and in that session, I declared our intent to bring the disputes involving Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, Ta Krabei temples, and the Emerald Triangle area to the ICJ. The National Assembly and the Senate unanimously supported this decision in a historic joint session.”

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet continued, “We have never retreated from this effort. From that day until June 16, when we officially submitted the complaint, there were many interpretations—but we remained silent. Do we need to keep responding every time? Our spokespersons have already explained. What matters most is that we acted.”

He emphasized that Cambodia’s move was not mere rhetoric. “Within just two weeks of our official announcement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the formal letter to the ICJ. That is clear evidence of our consistency and seriousness in addressing these four border issues. This is our principle—please trust that.”

It should be noted that 15 June 2025, Cambodia submitted its legal complaint to the ICJ, which coincided exactly with the 63rd anniversary of the ICJ’s 1962 ruling in Cambodia’s favour over the Preah Vihear temple.
=FRESH NEWS