Border tensions: Cambodia warns of imminent Thai army offensive ahead of talks in Kuala Lumpur

On the evening of 3 August 2025, the Cambodian Ministry of Defence issued an alarming statement regarding possible military preparations on the Thai side along the shared border.

According to the same sources, the targets include the temples of Tamone Thom, Ta Krabey, Preah Vihear, and the Anseh region — sites that are already highly symbolic and often the focus of geopolitical friction.

The Cambodian statement explicitly accuses Thailand of preparing for major military action ahead of the special meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) scheduled for 7 August in Kuala Lumpur, mediated by Malaysia and attended by American and Chinese observers. This meeting is the main bilateral dialogue mechanism launched following five days of deadly fighting that forced more than 300,000 civilians to flee and left nearly 40 people dead, mainly civilians, before the ceasefire came into effect on 28 July 2025.

Phnom Penh believes that a Thai offensive would not only constitute a flagrant violation of national sovereignty, but also a serious breach of the ceasefire agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur under the auspices of Malaysia, China and the United States, aimed at a sustainable de-escalation of the border conflict. The two states then committed to halting all hostilities, establishing a monitoring mechanism and restoring direct communication between senior military officials.

The Cambodian Ministry calls on the international community to assume its responsibilities to prevent a dramatic escalation of the situation. It urges Bangkok to return to the negotiating table and to respect the ceasefire ‘in spirit and letter’ in order to preserve regional peace and stability.

The Cambodian government has also reaffirmed its commitment to the diplomatic process, encouraging Malaysia, the current chair of ASEAN, to strengthen the role of the international observation mechanism during the upcoming talks.

With just a few days to go before this decisive meeting in Kuala Lumpur, the atmosphere remains tense and fragile. This episode is a reminder that historical disputes, exacerbated by competing memories surrounding border temples and nationalist issues, are plunging the region into a delicate balance between precarious peace and the risk of conflagration. The coming hours and the ability of regional actors to convince the parties to favour dialogue over arms will be decisive for the future of the Cambodian border and the security of the whole of Southeast Asia.