It has been five days since Cambodia and its people were first forced to endure brutal acts of aggression from the Thai military along the border in the areas of the Ta Mone Thom, Ta Mone Touch, and Ta Krabey temples. Thailand has expanded this aggression to the three provinces bordering Cambodia, especially the Preah Vihear temple area, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in favour of Cambodia of on June 15, 1962, determining that the temple and the area around the Preah Vihear temple belong to Cambodia. UNESCO listed the temple as a World Heritage Site on…
Author: Guest Writer
On the morning of July 24, gunfire echoed along the Cambodia-Thailand border. As tensions flare and speculation swirls, it is important to set the record straight. Cambodia did not start this conflict and has every reason not to. From history and politics to defence realities, economic interdependence and people-to-people bonds, every dimension of Cambodia’s national interest aligns with peace, not war. Drawing from its own tragic history, Cambodia knows the true cost of conflict better than most nations. The decades of civil conflict, foreign occupation and genocide in the 1970s and 1980s left profound scars on Cambodia, with over two…
Border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand are not new, but recent events highlight a deeper issue rooted not in territorial disputes, but in Thailand’s internal political conflict. Since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932, Thailand has experienced frequent military coups. Although not officially recognised, these coups often receive implicit support from the monarchy, especially when a civilian government becomes popular among the Thai public. Today, tensions are rising again as the Thai military strategically positions itself to challenge the government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, who was himself removed from power in a…
Tensions along the Cambodian-Thai border have escalated into a deadly armed conflicts with casualties on both sides. Both countries have blamed each other for firing first; however, it is both strategically and logically implausible for Cambodia to have initiated aggression or “fired first” against Thailand. As a much smaller and less developed nation in terms of economy, population and military capability, Cambodia has nothing to gain and much to lose by firing the first shot. This article analyses the geopolitical, economic and military standpoint to demonstrate that it would have been wholly irrational for Cambodia to initiate hostilities, by using…
In a deeply troubling development, the Kingdom of Thailand has taken its campaign of misinformation to the international stage by presenting a distorted, deceitful and dangerous report to the UN Security Council (UNSC). This is not diplomacy — this is deliberate deception. It is not a pursuit of peace — it is a calculated manipulation of international opinion designed to justify Thailand’s blatant military aggression against the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Thailand has effectively weaponised information as part of its military strategy. By fabricating narratives, selectively presenting events and falsely portraying itself as the victim, Thailand is waging…
In the early months of 2025, a shadow loomed over the Thai-Cambodian border. It was cast by Thailand’s deliberate provocations that have since erupted into a perilous border war, threatening to destabilise Cambodia’s sovereignty, economy and spirit. From February’s diplomatic affronts to the present’s thunderous F-16 fighter jets and intimidating naval assaults, Thailand has orchestrated a campaign of escalating aggression, leveraging its military might and geopolitical clout to provoke a conflict designed to weaken its smaller and weaker neighbour. This is not a tale of mutual misunderstanding but rather a calculated strategy to assert dominance. Cambodia’s vulnerabilities are exploited while…
Dear Esteemed Cambodian Diplomatic and Legal Teams, As a Cambodian student of international relations and political science, I humbly address you at this urgent hour on Saturday, July 26, following the UN Security Council (UNSC) emergency meeting on July 25, and Thailand’s alarming escalation of military operations against our nation. Cambodia’s request for the UNSC’s attention, amidst global crises, showcased our unwavering commitment to peace and international law. The closed-door session, where our representatives confronted Thailand’s, provided a vital platform to assert our sovereignty and demand de-escalation. Yet, Thailand’s rejection of ASEAN chair Anwar Ibrahim’s ceasefire proposal, their insistence on…
Thailand’s recent military actions against Cambodia go far beyond a mere border dispute. They reveal a clear pattern of violations of international law. Driven by internal political motives, they are harming civilians, cultural heritage and regional stability. Thailand’s reported use of cluster munitions, banned for their long-lasting and indiscriminate impact on civilians, raises serious legal concerns. Although Thailand is not a party to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, this action may violate customary international law and the Rome Statute, which classifies their use as a potential war crime. On July 24, Thailand’s use of US-made F-16 fighter jets led…
In the current climate of Cambodia-Thai border tensions, one question keeps resurfacing: is the media playing the role of a bridge between nations, or is it becoming a barrier to peace? The answer depends on how journalists choose to report — and unfortunately, some choices being made today are deeply troubling. Certain segments of the Thai media have set a dangerous trend. Instead of careful fact-checking and measured reporting, we see speculation, distortion and sensationalism taking centre stage. This isn’t journalism — it’s a manipulative mouthpiece serving as political tool at the expense of truth, regional harmony and even human…
For decades, the Kingdom of Cambodia has walked the path of peace, guided by a vision of regional harmony, mutual respect and development for all. Yet, while Cambodia has extended the hand of friendship, Thailand, from the highest levels of leadership to its aggressive military officials, has sharpened the sword. What the world is witnessing today is not a border misunderstanding — it is a deliberate provocation orchestrated by a Thai political-military elite obsessed with domination and blind nationalism. From former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra — who still manipulates Thai politics behind the scenes — to the commander of Army…