Cambodians at quiet Thai border plead for peace
POIPET, Cambodia: At the usually bustling border crossing of Poipet between Thailand and Cambodia, tuk-tuk driver San Noeun now has to work overnight to make ends meet.Thailand has all but closed the land crossings in seven border provinces as a territorial dispute with Cambodia that erupted into deadly military clashes last month festers.Cambodians living near the checkpoint in Poipet – the main land crossing between the two neighbors – say they are worried about the conflict escalating.San Noeun, 64, said the dispute had badly impacted small businesses and people like himself who earn hand-to-mouth from daily commuters around the border.'Since the border dispute, we cannot make much money,' he said, adding he could previously make around $18 a day.'It causes trouble to our livelihood.'He wrung his hands in an appeal to both the Cambodian and Thai authorities to end the dispute and re-open the border.'Please don't use weapons. I don't want to see a war anymore. I am so tired of it,' he said.Poipet – a busy casino city popular with Thai gamblers and known for underground cyberscam operations – is dotted with new construction projects.But since the gates on the Cambodian and Thai sides were both locked, the border crossing has fallen unusually quiet.Local residents said there are fewer people around in the evenings, and those that do come are spending less.San Noeun said he usually drives many foreign casino workers around 'but they don't come out to hang around now.'Chhan Siyoeung, 54, a shoe vendor with a store about a kilometer (0.6 miles) from the Thai border, also bemoaned a drop in sales due to fewer commuters.'When there is a problem like this, people don't want to spend money,' she said.'I am so scared, but I cannot go anywhere else. If I stay here, I could make some money.'She said military violence would see local Thais and Cambodians suffer the most, and urged authorities not to take up arms.In the flimsy hut where he stays with his son, San Noeun is also afraid.'I am a bit scared. We do not have a bunker.'He had just returned with 200 baht ($6) after offering an overnight ride-hailing service.'It is very hard now. We do not make enough money for day-to-day expenses,' he said, fretting over his $2,000 debt to a bank.Despite the hardship, some said they were confident they could ride out the hardships of the border dispute.'It is quiet, So it is a bit difficult to do business,' fruit vendor Pov Bal, 34, said. 'But it should be okay.'
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Cambodians at quiet Thai border plead for peace
POIPET, Cambodia: At the usually bustling border crossing of Poipet between Thailand and Cambodia, tuk-tuk driver San Noeun now has to work overnight to make ends has all but closed the land crossings in seven border provinces as a territorial dispute with Cambodia that erupted into deadly military clashes last month living near the checkpoint in Poipet – the main land crossing between the two neighbors – say they are worried about the conflict Noeun, 64, said the dispute had badly impacted small businesses and people like himself who earn hand-to-mouth from daily commuters around the border.'Since the border dispute, we cannot make much money,' he said, adding he could previously make around $18 a day.'It causes trouble to our livelihood.'He wrung his hands in an appeal to both the Cambodian and Thai authorities to end the dispute and re-open the border.'Please don't use weapons. I don't want to see a war anymore. I am so tired of it,' he – a busy casino city popular with Thai gamblers and known for underground cyberscam operations – is dotted with new construction since the gates on the Cambodian and Thai sides were both locked, the border crossing has fallen unusually residents said there are fewer people around in the evenings, and those that do come are spending Noeun said he usually drives many foreign casino workers around 'but they don't come out to hang around now.'Chhan Siyoeung, 54, a shoe vendor with a store about a kilometer (0.6 miles) from the Thai border, also bemoaned a drop in sales due to fewer commuters.'When there is a problem like this, people don't want to spend money,' she said.'I am so scared, but I cannot go anywhere else. If I stay here, I could make some money.'She said military violence would see local Thais and Cambodians suffer the most, and urged authorities not to take up the flimsy hut where he stays with his son, San Noeun is also afraid.'I am a bit scared. We do not have a bunker.'He had just returned with 200 baht ($6) after offering an overnight ride-hailing service.'It is very hard now. We do not make enough money for day-to-day expenses,' he said, fretting over his $2,000 debt to a the hardship, some said they were confident they could ride out the hardships of the border dispute.'It is quiet, So it is a bit difficult to do business,' fruit vendor Pov Bal, 34, said. 'But it should be okay.'
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Myanmar's sham election plan is a dangerous ruse
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It is an insult to the very idea of democracy Dr. Azeem Ibrahim In 2010, the junta held elections while maintaining tight control, barring credible opposition, and ensuring a military-dominated outcome. That charade allowed for limited normalization with the international community, culminating in a brief democratic opening that ended with the 2021 coup. The lesson from that period is clear: Myanmar's military will use any perceived legitimacy from international recognition of elections to strengthen its hold on power. ASEAN, under Malaysia's current leadership, has a unique opportunity and responsibility to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. As the region's primary diplomatic bloc, ASEAN's stance will be critical. It must categorically reject any election that does not meet internationally accepted democratic standards. That means first insisting on clear and enforceable preconditions before any vote can be recognized. These include the lifting of the state of emergency, the release of all political prisoners, the restoration of press and civic freedoms, and the reinstatement of banned political parties. Without these, any electoral process will simply be a rubber stamp for continued military rule. Moreover, ASEAN must ensure that international election observers are involved at every stage, from voter registration to ballot counting. Observation cannot be symbolic or constrained to a few urban centers. It must be comprehensive, credible, and capable of certifying the integrity of the process. Anything less would provide a fig leaf for a military-engineered outcome. Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, is well-placed to lead on this issue. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has shown a commendable willingness to speak frankly on regional matters of justice and human rights. His administration should work to rally ASEAN consensus around a firm stance on Myanmar's elections. This includes conditioning any engagement with the junta on measurable progress toward a genuine democratic transition. ASEAN's Five Point Consensus, adopted in 2021, remains the region's guiding framework for resolving the Myanmar crisis. But it has so far failed to yield results, largely because the junta has ignored its provisions with impunity. If ASEAN does not enforce consequences for noncompliance, the consensus becomes meaningless. Refusing to endorse a sham election would be a first step in restoring credibility to the bloc's diplomacy. Now is the time for vigilance, not validation Dr. Azeem Ibrahim The international community must also play its part. Western governments, the UN, and multilateral institutions should issue an unequivocal message: no recognition of any electoral result without a demonstrably fair process. Targeted sanctions should remain in place until democratic norms are restored. 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If ASEAN and the international community lend even tacit legitimacy to a rigged election, they will be complicit in the junta's deception. But if they set and enforce clear conditions for political inclusion and democratic safeguards, they can help steer Myanmar toward a just and peaceful resolution. Now is the time for vigilance, not validation. The world must not fall for the junta's electoral theater. Myanmar's people deserve a real choice, not another chapter of military rule dressed up in the trappings of democracy.
