Thailand-Cambodia Border Tensions: Background and Paths to Peace

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has soured once again after a brief exchange of gunfire resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier at the disputed border of the two countries on May 28, 2025.

Chronology of the Gunfire Exchange

The incident of gunfire exchange between Thailand and Cambodia began when both sides were involved in a patrol in the disputed area. According to ABS-CBN, the 10-minute exchange was reported to have occurred in the disputed area located in the Preah Vihear Province, Cambodia, and the Ubon Ratchathani Province in northeastern Thailand. However, both sides gave conflicting statements regarding who initiated the gunfire.

The Thai military accused Cambodian forces of entering the undermarcated area and violating the agreement, then sending troops to intercept. The Cambodian forces were said to have fired first, sparking the clash.

Conversely, a spokesperson for the Cambodian military mentioned that Thai forces initiated the gunfire. Although the situation is currently stable, both forces are still present at the location.

This conflict echoes the long-standing tension since 2008 over the ancient 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. Disputes over the area surrounding the temple have resulted in at least 28 fatalities before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the area belonged to Cambodia.

Background of the Conflict Between Thailand and Cambodia

The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has been ongoing for a long time, originating from the demarcation of boundaries by France in 1907 when Cambodia was still under its colonial rule.

As quoted from the Bangkok Post, the dispute between the two countries has lasted for over 100 years, with both claiming ownership of the 817-kilometer-long land border with undermarcated points. The map created by France became the reference, which was later contested by Thailand due to following the natural river line as the border.

In 2000, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to establish a Joint Boundary Commission to settle the dispute peacefully, but little progress has been made. Claims over historical sites often trigger tension, such as in 2003 when rioters burned the Thai Embassy and Thai businesses in Phnom Penh due to an alleged statement made by a Thai celebrity about the status of Angkor Wat, a World Heritage site in Cambodia.

The Preah Vihear temple, or Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand, has been the center of conflict for decades. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but Thailand still claimed the surrounding area.

Tensions peaked in 2008 when Cambodia registered the temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading to clashes and casualties, including a gunfire exchange in 2011. In 2013, the ICJ reaffirmed that the land around the temple also belonged to Cambodia and ordered the Thai forces to withdraw.

Following the gunfire exchange on May 28, 2025, both countries agreed to ease tensions, prevent further conflicts, and engage in dialogue on June 14. A joint statement was issued to reaffirm the commitment to maintain peace and sovereignty. However, the forces of both countries remained on alert at the border, causing concerns about potential conflicts.

Cambodia considers the existing dispute resolution mechanisms to be ineffective and plans to bring the dispute over four border areas to the ICJ. Meanwhile, Thailand rejects the ICJ's decision and chooses to resolve the issue through bilateral means.

Hopes for Resolution from Both Countries

Following the gunfire exchange between the two countries, the need for a resolution is still essential. As quoted from Antara, on Sunday, June 8, 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his hope to resolve the border issue with Thailand peacefully through his Facebook post.

"Cambodia adheres to the principles of maintaining peace, friendship and good cooperation with Thailand," stated Hun Manet from his Facebook page, as quoted from Antara. Furthermore, Manet mentioned that Cambodia has decided to bring the dispute to the International Court of Justice.

Hun Manet stated that Cambodia will continue to work with Thailand to measure and settle the border tensions through the Joint Border Commission of the two countries. The spokesperson for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nikorndej Balankura, urged Cambodia to reduce tensions at the border to prevent escalation.

After the gunfire exchange at the end of May, Nikorndej stated that Thailand has exercised restraint and sought to resolve the issue peacefully through diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister and Chair of ASEAN 2025 Anwar Ibrahim, reported through social media X on Friday, June 6, 2025, that he had communicated with the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia regarding the border dispute.

Dewi Rina Cahyani and Sita Planasri contributed to the writing of this article.

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