BANGKOK, June 8 — Thailand has reinforced its military presence along a disputed border with Cambodia, following an increase in troops on the other side, said Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
Tensions between the two Southeast Asian countries have been simmering since a Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 in a brief conflict in an undemarcated border area. For days, the two Southeast Asian governments have been exchanging carefully worded statements committing to dialogue.
However, Wechayachai, who is also Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, said Cambodia had rejected proposals in bilateral talks on Thursday (June 5) that could have led to a de-escalation.
"Furthermore, there has been a reinforcement of military presence, which has exacerbated tensions along the border.
"Consequently, the Royal Thai Government has deemed it necessary to implement additional measures and to reinforce our military posture accordingly," he said in a statement yesterday.
Wechayachai did not provide details on the extent of reinforcements by either side.
In a separate statement yesterday, the Thai Army said Cambodian soldiers and civilians had repeatedly made incursions into Thailand's territory.
"These provocations, and the build-up of military forces, indicate a clear intent to use force," it said, adding that it would take control of all Thai checkpoints along the border with Cambodia.
Although border checkpoints between the two countries remain open, Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree said they may gradually become more restrictive, ranging from earlier closing times to complete closures, depending on security assessments in each area.
Thailand currently operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817 km frontier, according to government data.
A spokesperson for Cambodia's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' questions regarding the Thai Army's announcement.
"This is our stance, not to initiate conflict, but to defend ourselves. Our guiding principles are ... respect for international legal frameworks.
"These grounded strategies are key to safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a speech yesterday, adding that the country's Armed Forces were ready to defend against aggression.
Yesterday, a Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said the country remains committed to pursuing bilateral dialogue as a means to restore stability.
"The Thai side reaffirms its readiness to engage through established bilateral mechanisms, particularly the upcoming meeting of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), scheduled for June 14.
"We sincerely hope that the negotiations will proceed in good faith," he told the press.
The military reinforcements come despite efforts by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is the current chair of the Asean bloc, and China to reduce tensions.
Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817 km land border for over a century. This border was first mapped by France in 1907, when Cambodia was under its colonial rule.
Tension escalated in 2008 over an 11th-century Hindu temple, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a week-long exchange of artillery in 2011.
Current governments in both countries, however, have enjoyed warm ties. Former leaders Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand and Hun Sen of Cambodia have had a close relationship, and the daughters of Thaksin and Hun Sen are now the incumbent Prime Ministers of their countries.
Still, nationalist sentiment has risen in Thailand, and on Friday (June 6), the Thai military said it is ready to launch a "high-level operation" to counter any violation of its sovereignty.
Cambodia announced this week that it would refer disputes over four sections of the border to the International Court of Justice and requested that Thailand cooperate.
Phumtham reiterated in his statement that Thailand does not recognise the jurisdiction of the court and proposed that all boundary-related issues be resolved through bilateral negotiations.
— Reuters
[caption id="attachment_403446" align="aligncenter" width="1361"]
Police officers stand guard in front of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia during a protest by royalist activists, following a recent clash at the Thailand-Cambodia border on May 28, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 6, 2025. — Picture by REUTERS[/caption]
