MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Thailand underscored the need to pursue peaceful means in resolving the border dispute between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.
Lazaro on Wednesday said she had a "productive meeting" with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Brunei.
"Together, we are working toward a more peaceful, stable, prosperous and resilient Asean community," Lazaro wrote on X.
The two officials discussed the bilateral border issue between Thailand and Cambodia.
Both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Cambodia and Thailand share a 800-kilometer land border which has been a source of political tensions.
Home to about 700 million people, the Asean is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Thailand in July 2025 launched airstrikes against Cambodian military targets along their long-disputed border. Military clashes in multiple areas along the border killed civilians in Thailand.
"I emphasized the readiness of the Philippines as Asean chair[man] to offer its good offices to help create a space for constructive dialogue between Thailand and Cambodia," Lazaro said.
In a statement last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs clarified that the Philippines "does not take any position on this dispute but underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication and ensuring the de-escalation of the situation."
They also exchanged views on important regional issues, from Myanmar developments to combating transnational crime.
"I underscored the Philippines’ commitment to play an active coordinating role in the Asean Observer Team," Lazaro said.