The Philippines has signalled readiness to step in as a mediator in the Thai–Cambodian border conflict when it assumes the Asean chairmanship next year, while Thailand insists that a meeting of the Thai–Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) will go ahead in Chanthaburi on Wednesday as planned.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Monday that Manila is prepared to facilitate dialogue between the two neighbours, according to a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) report.
The comment followed discussions among Asean foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur, where Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro joined counterparts at Malaysia’s invitation to review the deteriorating border situation.
“Following today’s discussions, the Philippines said it is prepared to assume the role of facilitator/mediator between Cambodia and Thailand, should both parties decide to make use of the good offices of the Chair once the Philippines assumes the Asean chairmanship,” the DFA said.
Meanwhile, military sources in Bangkok confirmed that Cambodia had requested an emergency special session of the GBC in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to address ongoing clashes and to push for international involvement.
Thailand, however, rejected the proposal, reaffirming that bilateral mechanisms remain the most appropriate format and insisting that the GBC meeting would be held in Ban Laem district of a meeting of Chanthaburi.
The eastern province adjacent to Trat was chosen because it remains relatively calm compared with other tense frontline areas, the source added.
The GBC (General Border Committee) is a forum for border security issues chaired by the defence ministers of the two countries. The JBC (Joint Boundary Commission) focuses on legal and technical land demarcation and is led by foreign ministry officials, while the RBC (Regional Border Committee) handles regional border management and cooperation, involving regional military commanders.
GBC secretariat officials of both sides are scheduled to meet from Wednesday to Friday, with the Thai and Cambodian defence ministers expected to meet on Saturday.
Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit reiterated Thailand’s firm stance, saying the Chanthaburi meeting should proceed as a bilateral platform.
The minister stressed that Thailand initially prioritised negotiation and ceasefire measures but repeated violations demonstrated a lack of sincerity from Phnom Penh.
Ongoing shelling, he added, has forced Thailand to respond proportionately under international law and the UN Charter’s Article 51 on self-defence.
Gen Nattaphon also expressed frustration over what he perceived as a lack of international support for Thailand’s position.
“I feel that no other country really is standing by us. Everyone’s acting neutral but appear to be on Cambodia’s side,” he said.
“They listen to the Cambodian side and see us as the bigger country bullying (its neighbour).
“I have not seen any country condemning Cambodia and asking why they are laying landmines on Thai territory. Instead they’re telling Thailand it should show restraint in its use of weapons and violence.”