Thailand Says Cambodia’s Acceptance of Responsibility Offers First Step but Doubts Sincerity in Border Dispute
Bangkok expresses reservations about Phnom Penh’s commitment to peace even as Cambodia acknowledges responsibility for a cross-border weapons incident
Thai authorities have said they remain unconvinced by Cambodia’s level of sincerity in addressing a recent border incident, yet acknowledged Phnom Penh’s acceptance of responsibility as an initial step toward rebuilding trust and cooperation.
The incident in question involved weapons fire that crossed into Thailand’s Chong Bok area in Ubon Ratchathani province on January 6, prompting a formal explanation from Cambodian officials.
Thai military and diplomatic representatives said they recognised the responsibility acknowledgment as potentially opening space for dialogue, but emphasised that communication between the two governments remains uneven and that full compliance with agreed commitments must be demonstrated on the ground.
Senior Thai officials, including Air Chief Marshal Praphas Sonjaidee of the Joint Information Coordination Center and the Foreign Ministry’s deputy spokeswoman Maratee Nalita Andamo, stressed that Cambodia’s explanation had yet to fully satisfy Thailand’s expectations for genuine intent.
They noted that while the acceptance of responsibility was significant, broader concerns linger about Cambodia’s adherence to all sixteen points of a previously agreed joint statement and commitments under the ceasefire framework reached last year.
Thailand highlighted ongoing vigilance concerning anti-personnel landmines and underscored that preventing future violations and ensuring full cooperation in peace mechanisms, such as the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission, would be essential for advancing mutual trust and stability.
The dispute forms part of a larger context of border tensions that flared in 2025, leading to intense clashes and subsequent diplomatic efforts to restore peace, including a ceasefire and joint agreements aimed at maintaining security along the frontier.
Thailand’s position reflects its insistence that any durable peace requires not only declarations but observable, sustained actions on the ground, with officials monitoring developments closely as both sides continue discussions through formal bilateral channels and multilateral observers.
The incident in question involved weapons fire that crossed into Thailand’s Chong Bok area in Ubon Ratchathani province on January 6, prompting a formal explanation from Cambodian officials.
Thai military and diplomatic representatives said they recognised the responsibility acknowledgment as potentially opening space for dialogue, but emphasised that communication between the two governments remains uneven and that full compliance with agreed commitments must be demonstrated on the ground.
Senior Thai officials, including Air Chief Marshal Praphas Sonjaidee of the Joint Information Coordination Center and the Foreign Ministry’s deputy spokeswoman Maratee Nalita Andamo, stressed that Cambodia’s explanation had yet to fully satisfy Thailand’s expectations for genuine intent.
They noted that while the acceptance of responsibility was significant, broader concerns linger about Cambodia’s adherence to all sixteen points of a previously agreed joint statement and commitments under the ceasefire framework reached last year.
Thailand highlighted ongoing vigilance concerning anti-personnel landmines and underscored that preventing future violations and ensuring full cooperation in peace mechanisms, such as the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission, would be essential for advancing mutual trust and stability.
The dispute forms part of a larger context of border tensions that flared in 2025, leading to intense clashes and subsequent diplomatic efforts to restore peace, including a ceasefire and joint agreements aimed at maintaining security along the frontier.
Thailand’s position reflects its insistence that any durable peace requires not only declarations but observable, sustained actions on the ground, with officials monitoring developments closely as both sides continue discussions through formal bilateral channels and multilateral observers.
