Pichanvorlak Rath

The territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has entered a new phase. Contrary to expectations of a third armed confrontation, the current dynamics reveal a shift toward an endurance-based strategy. This prioritizes long-term consolidation over immediate military engagement, specifically through and infrastructure expansion as the primary means of asserting sovereignty.

PHNOM PENH – Thailand’s divided responses to the Cambodia border dispute reflect deep-seated tensions in the Thai internal political structure, shaped by competing power apparatuses — the monarchy, conservative elites and the military, and the elected government.

A border incident occurred on 28 May 2025, when a Thai soldier allegedly opened fire near a disputed area along the Cambodia–Thailand border, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The incident took place in the Emerald Triangle area, which has been under Cambodian control since 1988. In response, both governments expressed a commitment to de-escalate the tensions through bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Joint Boundary Commission.