Cambodia Seeks Swift JBC Talks with New Thai Government
Cambodia Seeks Swift JBC Talks with New Thai Government
KANDAL, April 11, 2026 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said he hopes Thailand’s newly formed government will soon establish its joint border committee and accelerate negotiations to resolve long-standing boundary issues between the two countries.
Speaking at a ceremony on April 11, Hun Manet said Cambodia expects Bangkok to activate the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) mechanism and move forward with talks in line with existing bilateral agreements.
He noted that Cambodia has closely followed policy signals from Thailand’s new administration, which has expressed interest in resolving border issues peacefully through established frameworks, avoiding further conflict.
“Even if there is only one percent of hope, we will continue to pursue diplomatic solutions,” Hun Manet said, emphasizing that Cambodia remains committed to dialogue rather than confrontation.
He reiterated that agreements under the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary framework must not affect the sovereignty or internationally recognized borders of either country, and that both sides have mandated the JBC to carry out surveying and demarcation work as quickly as possible.
Cambodia has repeatedly proposed holding a special JBC meeting, including a recent request for talks between April 17 and 22 in Siem Reap. However, Thailand has postponed discussions, citing the need to complete internal procedures to appoint new JBC members following the formation of its government.
The issue remains sensitive, with both sides seeking to balance national interests with regional stability. Analysts say progress in JBC negotiations could help ease tensions and reinforce bilateral cooperation between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
