Sihasak Says Thailand Still Not Ready for Border Talks With Cambodia
Sihasak Says Thailand Still Not Ready for Border Talks With Cambodia
BANGKOK, April 12, 2026 — Thailand has said it is not yet ready to resume border talks with Cambodia, delaying a planned meeting under a key bilateral mechanism, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.
Speaking on April 11, Sihasak confirmed that Bangkok had informed Phnom Penh it could not attend the proposed Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting scheduled for April 17–25, citing the need to complete internal procedures.
He said Thailand must first secure approval to reconstitute its JBC team, including appointing members with expertise in international law and boundary affairs, before negotiations can proceed.
The JBC serves as the main bilateral platform for addressing border demarcation and related issues between the two countries. Cambodia has recently pushed for the talks to move forward quickly.
Sihasak said Cambodia had been informed of Thailand’s position and suggested the issue could be discussed further with Cambodian counterparts on the sidelines of an upcoming ASEAN summit in early May.
He also noted that historical documents related to the border, including French archives, are accessible and could be used to support future negotiations.
On related agreements, Sihasak said Thailand plans to revoke one memorandum of understanding (MOU 44) in line with government policy, while taking a more cautious approach toward another framework (MOU 43) due to ongoing progress.
The minister cautioned that even when talks resume, initial discussions would focus on procedures and frameworks rather than immediate boundary demarcation.
The delay underscores ongoing sensitivities in Cambodia–Thailand border negotiations, with both sides emphasizing dialogue while managing domestic considerations.
