In Paris, the Cambodian diaspora stands up against the Thai invasion

On Sunday, 3 August, as summer lingered in the French capital, the Place du Trocadéro was transformed into a vibrant theatre of resistance. Nearly 1,000 Cambodians from all over France and Europe gathered there.

The reason: to denounce loudly and clearly the invasion of Cambodian territory by the Thai army, an act that has reopened old wounds in a region forever marked by disputed borders and past imperialism. The atmosphere was solemn. Entire families, wearing kramas, carried banners emblazoned with calls for peace, while thousands of portraits of compatriots who had been victims of violence, exiled or displaced by the recent military escalation fluttered in the wind. Slogans such as ‘Inalienable sovereignty!’, ‘No to aggression!’ ‘, ’Cambodia united against injustice!" rang out in the air.

In the centre of the crowd, some walked in silence, heads held high, meditating on the price of the blood spilled along the precious border, while others, their voices trembling with emotion, sang the Cambodian national anthem. Far from being a mere outlet for anger, the gathering quickly turned into a demonstration of solidarity and transnational unity, uniting the diaspora in unconditional defence of Cambodia and its borders.

The concern of the French Cambodian community echoes the tragic situation that has been shaking Southeast Asia since the end of July. After weeks of growing tensions along the border, Thailand launched a series of incursions and bombings in late July in the heart of the disputed area around the temples of Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom. According to the latest figures, at least 40 people, mainly civilians, have been killed in the fighting and more than 300,000 inhabitants have been forced into exile on narrow roads between rice fields and deep forests.

In less than a week, the border was ablaze, pounded by artillery and ravaged by bombs, with both armies accusing each other of violating the territorial integrity of their neighbour.

 But amid the deluge of diplomatic dispatches, one fact remained indisputable for Cambodians: the ground trodden by foreign boots was, in their hearts, sacred and inviolable. "Refusing to remain silent is a duty.

We only have one Cambodia, and it is under threat," says Nary, one of the movement's leading figures.

For these protesters, getting involved from abroad means standing up as guardians of national memory and the right of peoples to self-determination, where words are sometimes lacking in their homeland or come up against censorship.

Diplomacy, Law and Hope

Although a fragile ceasefire has been established thanks to mediation by Malaysia, the United States and China, peace remains uncertain.

‘This is only the beginning. Respect for our borders cannot be negotiated behind closed doors,’ said a speaker on Sunday, to cheers from the crowd.

The Paris demonstration also received support from various international organisations and French associations, highlighting the importance of historical agreements and international law. Many pointed to the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling granting Phnom Penh sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple, a legal victory that remains incomplete given the continuing ambiguity over the surrounding land.

As the day progressed, the demonstration ended with poems, traditional dances and a minute's silence in tribute to the victims. But no one wanted to disperse the energy that had been generated: many Cambodians remained on site, exchanging promises to keep up the pressure, to raise international awareness and to write again and again to elected officials, organisations and the media.

For this diaspora, the fight goes beyond the physical border: it is about preserving an identity and pride, and passing on to future generations the profound meaning of the word ‘sovereignty.’ In Paris, on 3 August 2025, Cambodia spoke with a strong, dignified and united voice – a voice that exile has not been able to silence, and which today rises up against injustice so that the world will finally hear it.