International law has spoken for some, if not most of, the border areas that Thailand disputes with Cambodia and it is these areas that have suffered attacks, illegal encroachments, and even after a peace process was put into place, disturbing military maneuvers and actions dangerously close to egregious violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty. Whereas the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the United States can look on Thailand’s actions as a temporary, isolated and even limited outbreak of a long simmering tension between the countries, there is another possibility that is appearing increasingly likely, which is that this squabble is anything but these things. I fear we are entering a new and more dangerous situation, where the optimism of an incremental pathway to peace will evaporate and we will be facing an incremental pathway toward a conflict that will have no winners or losers—but victims on both sides and enormously costly consequences for not only the Cambodian and Thai peoples, but all countries in the region and the world.

— YOUK CHHANG

Director, Documentation Center of Cambodia

September 26, 2025

Footnote: On border issues in Prey Chan and Chork Chey villages in O’Bei Choan commune, O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia.