Bangkok, Phnom Penh Pull Back Troops After Deadly Clash

Following a fatal border clash that claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier, the defense ministries of Thailand and Cambodia have reached an accord to withdraw their respective troops to pre-incident locations. This mutual agreement comes after a period of heightened military reinforcement on both sides, signaling a commitment to de-escalate the volatile situation that arose from the May 28 incident.
Officials from both nations have stressed their dedication to finding a peaceful resolution to the dispute in the undemarcated border zone. The agreement to return to positions established in 2024 reflects a diplomatic breakthrough aimed at easing the significant tensions that had built up over the past few days.
The long-standing border issues between the two Southeast Asian neighbors stem from historical mapping discrepancies. With an 817 km (508 miles) shared frontier and 17 official border crossings, the undemarcated sections have been a source of contention for over a century, occasionally leading to armed confrontations.
While bilateral talks, including a scheduled meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee, are on the agenda, Cambodia has formally requested the International Court of Justice’s involvement. This contrasts with Thailand’s stance, which prioritizes bilateral negotiations and does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over these matters.