Ceasefire with Thailand: Between fragile hopes and civic solidarity

For several months, the border between Cambodia and Thailand has been the scene of a conflict that has had a profound impact on the region in military, economic, social and tourist terms. On 11 August 2025, the situation shows signs of relative stability, but the issues at stake remain serious and complex, involving prisoners, refugees, diplomatic actors and citizen initiatives in favour of peace.

Foreign military attachés visit a camp for displaced persons in Oddar Meanchey province

Military and diplomatic situation

A ceasefire was signed on 28 July 2025 under international mediation, notably during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 7 August, bringing together representatives from ASEAN, Malaysia, the United States and China. This ceasefire, which remains fragile, followed five days of intense clashes that left more than 40 people dead and caused the mass displacement of civilians on both sides of the border. Despite this, the Cambodian authorities continued to refer to military preparations on the Thai side, which is keeping tensions high in the region.

Cambodia accuses Thailand of targeting symbolic sites such as the temples of Preah Vihear and Ta Krabey, and remains highly vigilant against the risk of an offensive.

Among the consequences of these clashes, around 20 Cambodian soldiers are being held by the Thai army, and Phnom Penh is insistently demanding their release. Two prisoners were released in early August, but the majority remain captive in Thailand, fuelling a climate of mistrust between the two states. However, the Thai authorities claim to be respecting humanitarian conventions in their treatment of detainees.

Economic, social and tourism consequences

The impact of this border conflict goes beyond the military sphere. The closure of the land border since the end of June 2025 has halted the intense flow of Cambodian migrant workers into Thailand, estimated at around 500,000, causing major economic hardship for both the workers and the Thai and Cambodian companies that depend on this labour force.

The tourism sector, another pillar of the regional economy, is also suffering from this instability. Border towns and tourist areas are seeing their activity paralysed by declining visitor numbers, fear and restrictions on border crossings.

This is affecting small businesses, tourist guides and taxis, as well as infrastructure projects supported by foreign investors, particularly Chinese.

The crisis has also exacerbated discrimination and social tensions, with acts of hostility towards Cambodians living or working in Thailand, triggering a wave of mass returns to Cambodia. According to estimates, between 200,000 and 750,000 workers have returned to their country, sometimes in precarious conditions, exacerbating the local social and economic situation.

Refugee situation and humanitarian initiatives

More than 300,000 civilians have been displaced from border areas, seeking refuge mainly in Cambodia. In response, the Cambodian government has shown a humanitarian spirit, reinforced by ceasefire agreements and calls for regional solidarity.

Various initiatives by NGOs, international agencies and local actors are mobilising to provide assistance, particularly in terms of protection, housing, health and psychological support for refugees and displaced persons. These efforts are taking place within a regulated framework, in which foreign NGOs must be registered with the Cambodian authorities in order to operate on the ground.

Commitments to peace: marches and demonstrations

On the civilian front, several peace marches have taken place in Phnom Penh and internationally, demonstrating a deep desire to resolve the conflict through dialogue and reconciliation.

Hundreds of Buddhist monks organised processions to honour the soldiers who died in the clashes, spreading a message of peace and remembrance. These actions, relayed by cultural centres and diaspora networks, are helping to maintain a calming influence in a tense regional context.

Official statements

The governments of both countries are taking a cautious but determined stance. Phnom Penh insists on the inviolability of its sovereignty and demands the immediate release of Cambodian prisoners. Bangkok, for its part, affirms its commitment to international humanitarian law and defends its border security measures, while stressing the need to combat transnational crime linked to the region.

As of 11 August 2025, the Cambodia-Thailand border is at a critical juncture of fragile equilibrium. While direct hostilities appear to be contained, economic, social and human challenges remain considerable. In this context, the role of international diplomacy, NGOs, local communities and peaceful demonstrations appears essential to building a future of coexistence and cooperation between these two neighbours with a complex and shared past.