Border: Phnom Penh Denounces New Thai Attacks

The tension between Phnom Penh and Bangkok has hardened anew. This Monday morning, the Cambodian Ministry of Defence strongly condemned a series of “deliberate military attacks” carried out by Thai forces along the common border — in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province.

According to the ministry’s spokeswoman, Lieutenant-General Maly Socheata, firing began at 05:04 in the An Ses area, before spreading to Tamone Thom, 5 Makara, and Chomka Chek — locations not far from the world-famous Preah Vihear Temple. Tanks from the Thai military reportedly opened fire repeatedly, forcing Cambodian forces to withdraw into defensive positions.

“Cambodia, respectful of bilateral agreements and international law, did not retaliate at any time,” the spokeswoman emphasized, adding that Phnom Penh had immediately referred the matter to the ASEAN Observation Team (AOT) in order to seek a “transparent and impartial” investigation.

A Climate Already Charged

This outbreak of violence follows several days of provocations from the Thai side — including an incident the day before in the Prorlean Thmar area. Observers in the region interpret the recent assaults as an act of intimidation or an attempt to test Cambodian resolve at a moment when bilateral relations had seemed to ease after the Joint Declaration of 26 October 2025, signed under the supervision of U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was then serving as ASEAN chair.

This latest attack places serious doubt on Bangkok’s sincerity regarding its regional commitments. Several diplomatic sources suggest that internal pressure within Thailand — especially from hardline military factions — may be pushing for a show of nationalist strength, amid unstable political winds in Bangkok.

A Firm Condemnation and Call to the International Community

Phnom Penh describes the assault as a “brutal, inhuman act,” and a flagrant breach of the Joint Declaration and the bilateral cease-fire. The Cambodian government calls on the international community to condemn these actions unequivocally — actions it deems “irresponsible and dangerous for regional stability.”

Yet, despite the aggression, the Ministry of Defence reiterates that Cambodia remains committed to diplomacy.

“Our commitment remains unchanged: to defend our sovereignty while preserving peace, and scrupulously respecting international law,” affirmed the spokeswoman.

Between Historical Rivalry and Political Calculation

Experts see this renewed outbreak as the resurgence of a long-standing historical rivalry around the Preah Vihear region — a rivalry never fully extinguished. Behind the current escalation, some analysts suspect that Thailand may be seeking to reassert its regional influence at a time when Cambodia is gaining strategic traction through new economic and security agreements within ASEAN and its growing Sino-Cambodian cooperation.

In the coming days, attention will turn to ASEAN — called upon to mediate. Its ability to persuade the parties to choose dialogue over weapons could prove pivotal for the fate of the border region and the peace of Southeast Asia.