Article: Reuters
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet says Thai military forces continue to occupy parts of Cambodian territory despite a ceasefire agreed in late December 2025 that was brokered with the involvement of former U.S. President Donald Trump. In his first international interview since taking power, Hun told Reuters that Thai troops have set up barbed wire and containers inside areas Cambodia considers its own, preventing villagers from returning home and threatening the fragile peace. He called on Thailand to allow the Joint Boundary Commission to begin demarcation of the contested border.
Thailand rejected the accusation, saying its forces are holding positions under de-escalation arrangements and are not occupying Cambodian land. Hun made the remarks in Washington while attending Trump’s “Board of Peace.” The renewed clashes in 2025 displaced thousands and disrupted trade.
Historically, Cambodia was the epicenter of the Khmer Empire (c. 802-1431), and its influence was partially inherited by Thailand, especially in the northeastern region. In 1904, a Franco-Siamese Treaty was created, during which France controlled Cambodia(Siamese empires the modern day Thailand.) The key principle in the treaty is that the border between Cambodia and Siam would follow the watershed line of the Dangrek Mountains. In 1907, French surveyors created maps, which did not strictly follow the watershed, and Siam did not explicitly approve them. In 1962, the ICJ ruled 9-3 in favor of Cambodia’s rights to former Khmer empires seemingly resolving the dispute. Where ambiguity again causes disruption, is that the ICJ awarded the temple structures to Cambodia; however, this didn’t settle the surrounding land.
In 2008, the first modern armed clashes began over the disputed territory along the Cambodia-Thailand border. The reasons largely stem from historical context; however, more recent developments have exacerbated the conflict. Since 2006, Thailand has experienced two military coups. Additionally, the Cambodian economy is struggling, and the fighting between Thailand offers a distraction. Furthermore, Thailand is a stronger military power, bolstered by U.S. and Western influence within the state. Cambodia is a smaller country with less incentive to fight, especially given the ICJ ruling, and argues that it is defending itself against a greater power.
Cambodia and Thailand are both suffering through trade and displaced people as a result of the conflict. The ceasefire created an excuse for both sides to de-escalate without appearing weak. Clashes could reignite due to mines on the border, as those have continued to be a sensitive subject. Additionally, Thailand will likely agree to the JBC (joint boundary commission) to resolve the territorial dispute. Cambodia is the weaker power; if it starts the conflict, it will be a distraction from its struggling economy. There will likely be minor border clashes amid constant tension from mines with each side framing actions as defensive.
In class, we learned how to classify conflict. The scope is at the local level, as it’s only between Thailand and Cambodia. Since there are two states involved, it is an interstate conflict, which falls under armed conflict. The motivation is primarily a conflict of interest over disputed territory. Furthermore, the scale is currently at a low-intensity conflict, as the clashes have significantly reduced and are now smaller. Finally, the means are conventional as it’s a conflict between state militaries.