Phnom Penh, Cambodia –Citing recent armed incursions and a breakdown in bilateral negotiations, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced today that it is referring its longstanding border dispute with Thailand to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

In a statement released July 4, 2025, the Ministry detailed an incident on May 28, 2025, in which Thai armed forces allegedly entered Cambodian territory and opened fire on a military post in Preah Vihear Province, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The Cambodian government issued an official protest following the incident.

Cambodia claims that Thailand has also increased military deployments along the border, closed border checkpoints without consultation, and dug trenches in sensitive areas, disrupting essential services and escalating tensions.

The Ministry stated that Cambodia has exercised restraint and engaged in communication to de-escalate the situation, but that Thailand has not responded to repeated invitations for dialogue through the Joint Commission on Demarcation of Land Boundary (JBC). Cambodia also accuses Thailand of insisting on using a unilaterally drawn map, contrary to a 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU-2000) on border demarcation.

The dispute centers on four areas: Tamone Thom Temple, Tamone Touch Temple, Ta Krabey Temple, and the Mom Bei area. Cambodia asserts these areas lie within its territory as defined by historical treaties and maps reaffirmed in the MOU-2000.

Cambodia’s Foreign Minister extended an invitation to his Thai counterpart on June 6, 2025, to jointly submit the case to the ICJ, which was reiterated during the Cambodian-Thai JBC meeting held in Phnom Penh from June 14-15, 2025. To date, no official response has been received from the Thai side.

Cambodia maintains its decision to refer the dispute to the ICJ is consistent with international law and the UN Charter. The statement calls on Thailand to demonstrate good faith by accepting the ICJ's jurisdiction.