The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Cambodia and Thailand have reached a withdrawal agreement, and hoped to ease tensions in the area where the border had not been determined for the collision on May 28.
VNA quoted the spokesman of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) - Major General Winthai Suvaree - as saying that Cambodia agreed to withdraw troops from the disputed border area after military negotiations with Thailand.
According to Major General Winthai Suvaree, Lieutenant General Srey Doek - Deputy Commander of the Cambodian Army and Commander of the Intervention Brigade No. 3 - invited Major General Sompop Pharawet - Commander of the Suranaree Special Forces - to a meeting on border issues at 10:00 a.m. on June 8 local time.
The two sides agreed that the Cambodian army would withdraw from the Chong Bok area to return to the positions agreed in 2024. The Cambodian army will move to the Tri Muk Pavilion, about 150-200m from the disputed area where they had previously camped.
In addition, Cambodia also agreed to fill the battlefields that, according to the Thai government, had encroached 200m into the country's territory. This move is to reduce stress and create an atmosphere of cooperation, Winthai said.
The RTA spokesperson added that the two sides have also agreed to use the local Border Commission mechanism to sustainably manage the area, with weekly meetings to maintain dialogue.
The meeting took place a day after Thailand warned that Cambodia's refusal to withdraw troops could escalate the situation, citing the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, which includes an important provision prohibiting both sides from changing the terrain along the border.
Regarding the settlement of the situation, Thailand affirmed the bilateral approach, did not need the intervention of a third country and did not accept the authority of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in settling the dispute.
According to the plan, Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to meet on June 14 under the framework of the Joint Committee on Land Border Definition (JBC), but the specific agenda is not yet clear.
The disputed land is located in the border area of the three countries of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, commonly known as the "Heroic Triangle" or "Mom Bei" in Khmer.
The land became a hot spot on May 28 after a clash that reportedly killed a Cambodian soldier. Thailand said that this was just an accident.
