Latest news with #CambodiaThailandConflict
South China Morning Post
29-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
The Lens: Tensions escalate between Cambodia and Thailand
Thoughts from last week Praveen Sathappan Narayanan, 11, Island School Praveen Sathappan Narayanan attends Island School. Photo: Handout Tensions are high between Cambodia and Thailand following the death of a Cambodian soldier in May in a disputed border area between the two countries. I believe the long-term implications of this situation could lead to increased conflict, economic strain from trade restrictions and regional instability. Additionally, it may result in heightened discrimination against Cambodian immigrants in Thailand, exacerbating social issues. To reach a compromise, both countries should engage in bilateral talks to address the situation, possibly involving neutral parties or organisations, such as the United Nations, to help ease tensions. I think Cambodia's decision to take the incident to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was appropriate, as involving a third party could help mitigate tensions. However, I believe Cambodia should have prioritised bilateral talks with Thailand before engaging with the ICJ, as the court's involvement further complicates the situation. Recently, Thailand has imposed border restrictions on Cambodia as a means of exerting economic pressure. At the same time, Cambodia has responded by banning Thai dramas, closing a popular border checkpoint and cutting internet bandwidth from Thailand. I disagree with both countries' actions, as these measures, presented as being in the interest of national welfare, ultimately harm their citizens. Cambodia and Thailand must prioritise immediate dialogue despite their historical disputes. While involvement with the ICJ can provide some relief, constructive dialogue is essential. Trade bans only exacerbate the situation and negatively impact citizens. Collaborative efforts are crucial for fostering peace and stability in the region. Read up on this issue in last week's The Lens Thank you for your participation in The Lens! Thank you for your participation in The Lens! The Lens is a way for students to connect with global issues and topics. It encourages you to think critically and articulate your opinions. The Lens lets us step out of our bubble in Hong Kong and learn about problems around the world. The Lens will not be featured in the summer editions of Young Post. But we are grateful for the dozens of amazing submissions and responses from our Junior Reporters. But don't worry – Young Post always has plenty of opportunities for budding journalists! You can still write for other columns this summer, such as Face Off! If you want to be even more involved, you can apply to become a Junior Reporter using this link. We look forward to seeing more of your writing in the coming school year!
Al Jazeera
29-05-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
Cambodia PM urges calm after border clash with Thailand leaves soldier dead
Cambodia's leader has called for calm in the country a day after a soldier was killed in a brief clash with troops from neighbouring Thailand, in a disputed zone along the Thai-Cambodia border. In a written statement on Thursday, Prime Minister Hun Manet said people should not 'panic over unverified material being circulated', and reassured the country that he did not want a conflict between Cambodian and Thai forces. 'For this reason, I hope that the upcoming meeting between the Cambodian and Thai army commanders will produce positive results to preserve stability and good military communication between the two countries, as we have done in the past,' said Hun Manet, who is currently on a visit to Tokyo. 'Even though I am in Japan … the command system and hierarchy for major military operations such as troop movements remain under my full responsibility as prime minister,' he added. Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence said on Wednesday that one of its soldiers was killed in a brief firefight with Thai troops, in a disputed border region between the country's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province. The ministry accused Thai soldiers of opening fire first on a Cambodian military post that had long existed in the contested border zone. However, Thailand's Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai said Cambodian forces in the area had opened fire first, adding they had previously dug a trench in the area in an effort to assert Cambodia's claim over the disputed territory, local media reported. 'I have been informed that the return fire was necessary to defend ourselves and protect Thailand's sovereignty. I have instructed caution. Although the ceasefire holds, both sides continue to face each other,' the minister said, according to Thailand's The Nation newspaper. The Nation also reported that Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra spoke with her counterpart, Hun Manet, and both were working to lower the temperature on the dispute. 'We don't want this to escalate,' the Thai prime minister was quoted as saying. Cambodia and Thailand have a long history of disputes along their mutual border, including armed clashes that broke out in 2008 near Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that year. Fighting also broke out along the border in 2011. The Associated Press news agency reports that in February, Cambodian troops and their family members entered an ancient temple along the border and sang the Cambodian national anthem, leading to a brief argument with Thai troops. The incident was recorded on video and went viral on social media.
