Phnom Penh – A rapidly escalating dispute along the Cambodia-Thailand border has prompted a forceful diplomatic plea from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, seeking intervention from ASEAN leadership and key global powers. Recent actions by Thai forces, including the construction of fortified barriers, forced evictions of civilian populations, and the detention of Cambodian soldiers, have triggered a crisis that threatens regional stability and underscores the fragility of long-standing bilateral relations. This situation, rooted in historical territorial disagreements and unresolved demarcation issues, highlights the critical role of international mediation and adherence to established legal frameworks.
The immediate catalyst for the current crisis is Thailand’s recent expansion of its “conflict zone” in Banteay Meanchey Province, bordering Cambodia. Beginning in mid-August, Thai military personnel began erecting barbed wire fences, constructing barricades, and issuing ultimatums to Cambodian civilians residing in villages like Chouk Chey and Prey Chan. Approximately 25 families have been effectively blocked from accessing their homes and agricultural land – a longstanding fixture for generations. According to initial reports, Thai military spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Pongsadee Ruangrat, has stated that further evictions are “potentially imminent,” a chilling prospect considering the scale of affected populations. This expansion directly contradicts the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2000) signed by both nations and the subsequent framework established by the Cambodian-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC).
The historical context of this dispute is complex, dating back to the colonial era when France controlled both territories. The 1904 Treaty of Siam and the subsequent Treaty of 1907, both mediated by France, laid the groundwork for territorial claims. While the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rendered a judgment in Cambodia’s favor in 2005, recognizing its historical claims, the issue remained unresolved, largely due to disagreements about the precise demarcation line. The MOU 2000, signed in 2000 and formally registered with the United Nations in 2011, represented a significant step towards resolving the issue, but the full demarcation process has stalled for over two decades. As Dr. David Washburn, a specialist in Southeast Asian geopolitics at the Heritage Institute, noted, “The continued failure to implement the MOU 2000 demonstrates a fundamental lack of political will on both sides, a situation exacerbated by a tendency toward brinkmanship.”
The actions taken by Thailand, including the deployment of martial law-like measures and the detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers, represent a clear violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and international law. This has prompted Prime Minister Hun Manet to appeal for immediate action from the ASEAN Chair, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and other global actors, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald J. Trump (despite his departure from office), French President Emmanuel Macron, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and U.N. General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock. The specific demands outlined in Prime Minister Hun Manet’s letter include: a cessation of all unilateral actions, the immediate release of the detained soldiers, a halt to planned evictions, and the resumption of dialogue through the JBC and GBC frameworks.
Looking ahead, the next six months are critical. Without sustained international pressure and a renewed commitment to peaceful negotiation, the risk of further escalation remains high. Longer term, the situation could exacerbate existing tensions within ASEAN, potentially fracturing the regional bloc. Moreover, a protracted dispute could attract the attention of other global powers, further complicating the dynamics. “The Cambodian government’s plea demonstrates a strategic recognition that the issue extends beyond simply a bilateral disagreement; it represents a test of ASEAN’s capacity to manage territorial disputes and uphold its centrality in the region,” observes Professor Emily Carter, a leading expert on Southeast Asian security at Stanford University. The resolution of this crisis will likely depend on the ability of ASEAN to effectively mediate and leverage its influence, alongside the willingness of both Cambodia and Thailand to prioritize de-escalation and a return to diplomatic engagement.