Escalation at the border: Deadly shooting by Thai soldiers on Cambodian civilians

On November 12, 2025, around 3:50 PM, a dramatic incident occurred in the village of Prey Chan, located in the O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province in Cambodia. Thai soldiers opened fire on Cambodian civilians, injuring five people, one of whom unfortunately died.

This event is symptomatic of a recurring escalation of violence between Thai and Cambodian armed forces along a border marked by decades of unresolved tensions.

Deadly provocation

The shooting on November 12 fits into a logic of heightened tension fueled by several strategic, political, and social factors:

Militarization and aggressive territorial expansion

Thai troops have intensified their presence and activities in contested zones, including land clearing operations on lands claimed by Cambodia. This increased militarization clearly aims to establish de facto control over these territories. This type of aggressive behavior leads to confrontations when civilians are present in these strategic zones, as was the case in Prey Chan.

Internal political instrumentalization

Internal crises in Thailand, marked by political rivalries between pro-democracy factions and royalist-military movements, complicate the management of the external conflict.

Some analysts believe the Thai government uses the border tension as a means to strengthen its national base or to define a firm stance against the adversary.

On the Cambodian side, the conflict also triggers patriotic mobilization, consolidating support for the government through a sovereignty-claiming posture.

Military provocation strategy up to lethal use

The opening of fire on civilians may seem incomprehensible at first glance, but it illustrates a voluntary escalation, where the tacit rules of the conflict are violated, and the civilian population is deliberately put under pressure.

This may correspond to a Thai military strategy aimed at intimidating the local Cambodian populations and destabilizing Cambodian resistance in these areas.

Human and diplomatic consequences

The death of a Cambodian civilian, combined with serious injuries inflicted on several others, caused a shockwave in the region. Phnom Penh immediately condemned this act as a serious violation of territorial sovereignty and murder, calling for an international investigation and mediation by international organizations.

On the diplomatic level, this new violent episode further poisons already very tense relations between the two countries. In the short term, it diminishes the chances of a quick resumption of negotiations. In the medium term, ongoing deterioration could weaken regional stability, with wider economic and social consequences.

Bad faith

The Thai army has, for several months now, multiplied disinformation campaigns, false testimonies, and intentional provocations aimed at destabilizing Cambodia and justifying its aggressive military actions. Official media and power-aligned outlets in Bangkok regularly spread false information, seeking to discredit Phnom Penh and its border stance. They accuse the Cambodian authorities without evidence of hostile initiatives, while in reality it is often Thai forces crossing the border line or opening fire. This deliberate "bad mouthing" strategy also includes the dissemination of manipulated videos, the instrumentalization of nationalist discourse, and the spread of unfounded rumors on social networks to stir hatred and justify violence.

Contempt

Furthermore, Thailand shows marked contempt for international organizations supposed to help peacefully resolve the conflict. Proposals for mediation or investigation by the UN, ASEAN, or even regional powers like China and Malaysia have been regularly refused or ignored by Bangkok. Instead of engaging in multilateral dialogue, Thailand favors a unilateral, militarized, and opaque approach, thus manifesting its genuine lack of interest in a resolution based on international law or regional cooperation. This behavior greatly complicates any attempt at stabilization and increases distrust toward Bangkok in the international community.

This systematic policy of lies, provocations, and rejection of the international diplomatic framework illustrates the deep nature of the conflict: a strategic game based on intimidation, territorial control by force, and manipulation of public opinion, to the detriment of heavily impacted civilian populations. It also highlights the important collective international responsibility to pressure Thailand to stop these destabilizing practices and sincerely participate in lasting peace.

Necessities

Until Thailand and Cambodia find a common credible dialogue basis accepted by their respective armed forces, the border will remain a potentially explosive hotspot. The international community, particularly the European Union, ASEAN, and the United Nations, might have a role to play in facilitating a lasting peace process.

The Thai military provocation, far from being a mere isolated incident, is the product of a strategy combining territorial issues, internal politics, and the absence of resolution mechanisms. Only a multi-faceted diplomatic approach, combining international pressure, bilateral dialogue, and guarantees of respect for human rights, can prevent the threat of open war from becoming reality.