On May 28, 2025, a brief but deadly exchange of gunfire between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in the Emerald Triangle—a tri-border area shared by Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos—resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The incident occurred near Morokot village in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, a region long fraught with territorial disputes. Both nations have accused each other of initiating the clash, with Cambodia asserting that its troops were on a routine patrol when Thai forces opened fire, while Thailand claims its soldiers were responding to gunshots from the Cambodian side.
The Cambodia-Thailand border dispute is deeply rooted in historical treaties and colonial-era ambiguities. Central to the conflict is the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, situated in the Dangrek Mountains. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the temple to Cambodia, a decision that has continued to provoke nationalist sentiments in Thailand . Despite the ruling, disputes over adjacent land persist, fueled by nationalist sentiments in both countries.
Military clashes between the Southeast Asian neighbors erupted in 2008 and have led to several years of sporadic violence. The most recent occurred last week, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a location known as the Emerald Triangle. The day after, Cambodia’s foreign ministry sent a letter to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh demanding “an immediate and thorough investigation” into the “unprovoked attack” .
In response to the latest clash, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced plans to seek a ruling from the ICJ over ongoing border disputes with Thailand, including areas that recently saw military clashes . The Cambodian National Assembly, dominated by Hun Manet’s ruling party, approved the move following the May 28 incident. Hun Manet emphasized that even if Thailand does not agree to bring the issue to the ICJ, Cambodia will still file the complaint to resolve the border issues definitively and urged both countries to avoid being provoked by extremist forces advocating confrontation.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to Cambodia’s announcement. However, Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized that neither side intended to escalate the conflict. The Thai and Cambodian militaries met the following day and agreed to ease tensions, with a high-level military meeting scheduled to prevent further conflict .
Nationalist sentiments in both countries have been inflamed by incidents such as a video posted on social media earlier this year showing a woman singing a patriotic Khmer song at the Ta Moan Thom Temple, leading to Bangkok lodging a formal protest to Phnom Penh. Such events have the potential to exacerbate tensions and provoke further clashes.
The Cambodia-Thailand border dispute is further complicated by the involvement of global superpowers. China’s robust backing of Cambodia is marked by large-scale aid, prioritizing infrastructure and regime security, but raising concerns about debt dependency and Chinese military influence. In contrast, U.S. support for Thailand is anchored in a formal alliance, with aid often tied to democratic principles, though tempered by pragmatic engagement with Thailand’s military-led government.
Cambodia leans heavily on China to counterbalance Vietnam and Thailand, while Thailand navigates a delicate balance, engaging both superpowers to maintain autonomy. This dynamic fuels a broader U.S.-China competition in Southeast Asia. Cambodia’s alignment with China reinforces Beijing’s regional foothold, especially in the South China Sea, while the U.S.-Thailand partnership bolsters Washington’s endeavors to counter Chinese influence.
The recent clash between Cambodia and Thailand underscores the fragility of peace in regions with longstanding territorial disputes. While both nations have expressed a commitment to peaceful resolution, the involvement of nationalist sentiments and global superpowers adds layers of complexity to the situation. The international community will be watching closely as Cambodia proceeds with its complaint to the ICJ, hoping for a resolution that prevents further bloodshed and promotes stability in the region.
