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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!