Cambodia Stands Firm on ICJ Submission, PM Confirms

AKP Phnom Penh, June 17, 2025 --

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet reaffirmed this afternoon that the Royal Government of Cambodia will not waver in its stance to submit its border dispute with Thailand to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“Cambodia’s position to refer the case to the ICJ remains unchanged. This is the truth,” the Prime Minister stressed during the closing ceremony of the Cambodia Scouts’ Extraordinary Congress held at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh. “Within two weeks of announcing this stance, we have officially submitted our request to the ICJ.”

Samdech Thipadei reiterated that the Royal Government’s decision to refer the disputes concerning the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, and Ta Krabei temple complexes, as well as the Mom Bei area, to the ICJ was made in order to avoid armed conflict and prevent bloodshed.

He also called on the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to remain vigilant and fully prepared to defend the country’s territorial integrity, stating that not even a millimetre of Cambodian land must be lost. Furthermore, he urged extremist groups not to exploit the Cambodian-Thai dispute or attempt to demoralise the national forces.

The Premier reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to resolving the issue through three approaches: technical mechanism, international legal proceedings through the ICJ, and, as a last resort, military defence if the nation's sovereignty is threatened or violated.

He expressed hope that the international community will recognise Cambodia’s consistent and peaceful approach, grounded in international law, to achieving a lasting resolution to the ongoing border conflict.

On June 16, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. local time in The Hague (4:30 p.m. Phnom Penh time), H.E. Ms. Kimsour Sovannary, Cambodia’s Ambassador to the Netherlands with residence in Brussels, personally delivered Cambodia’s submission to Mr. Philippe Gautier, Registrar of the ICJ. By Heng Panha