Recently, border disputes and tension between Cambodia and Thailand escalated after 4 Thai soldiers came back seriously injured due to a landmine explosion while on border patrol. This led Thailand to suspend the peace deal with Cambodia just 2 weeks after both countries agreed to sign it on October 26, 2025.
The two countries have a long history of occasional conflict and a long-standing border dispute over land and ancient temples. However, this year, things are worse than ever. The conflict started on July 24, 2025, with both countries blaming each other for firing first. Near the border lie Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom, two ancient Khmer Hindu temples that fall within Cambodia’s territory and under its rule. Additionally, the border was established during the French colonial era, in accordance with the ICJ’s jurisdictional ruling. Yet Thailand refuses to accept these facts, which has led to more tension and misunderstandings. This war caused about 300,000 Khmer and Thai citizens to flee and become displaced, leaving a great mess in both countries.
In an attempt to de-escalate, on October 26 at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia both agreed to sign a peace deal (also an expanded ceasefire), with President Donald Trump presiding. According to CNN, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said the country “never wished to see violence” but would “not allow the violation of its sovereignty.”
However, the peace deal is now on the brink of collapse after more recent accidents. In early November of this year, a few Thai soldiers were walking around the border and came back seriously injured due to a landmine explosion, leading to Thailand accusing Cambodia of violating the agreement by laying fresh landmines. Cambodia denies this, saying the landmines were left by previous conflicts and that people should proceed with caution near the border. “For the Cambodian side [the ceasefire] was seen as a win, because Cambodia, as a smaller country with a smaller military [and] smaller economy, would also want to seek a peaceful resolution to this conflict,” Phnom Penh-based Aun told the BBC’s Newsday program.
To make matters worse, the most recent tragic incident so far took place on Monday, December 8, with Thailand sending airstrikes to Cambodia, leading to at least 1 Thai soldier and 4 Cambodian civilians being killed. Once again, both countries accuse each other of starting clashes that broke out overnight. As the situation deepens, Japan expresses concern, “Japan once again urges both countries to observe the ceasefire agreement, exercise maximum restraint and seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue, following the spirit of the Joint Declaration of 26 October,” says Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro, according to ALJAZEERA.
As the situation quickly escalates, with new incidents occurring every week, some express concern, while others argue online. But at the end of the day, both Thailand and Cambodia are fighting to protect their countries, cultures, and people.
