Thailand’s Betrayal of Peace: Cambodia Stands Firm
Thailand’s Betrayal of Peace: Cambodia Stands Firm
-Opinion-
Cambodia has once again been confronted with a blatant violation of trust by Thailand. On Tuesday, Thai Prime Minister Anutin unilaterally ordered a suspension of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement and halted the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers, refusing any further bilateral negotiations. This shocking move comes less than a month after the historic agreement, which was signed under the witness of President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, demonstrating Thailand’s complete disregard for international commitments.
Let us make this clear: Cambodia did nothing wrong. Cambodian forces have not planted new mines. The recent mine explosion that injured Thai soldiers occurred in areas with mines left from past conflicts. Yet Thailand has demanded that Cambodia apologize for their own soldiers’ carelessness. This is not merely unreasonable — it is an affront to justice, fairness, and the principles of international law. Asking Cambodia to apologize for an incident it did not cause is a brazen attempt to rewrite reality and distort the truth.
Even more concerning, Thai Defense Minister Gen. Natthaphon Nakphanit publicly stated that Thailand’s military now has the green light to take unilateral action along the border “if necessary.” This is not only a violation of the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration; it is a direct threat to regional peace and stability. It is also a disrespect to ASEAN mechanisms and the international observers who monitored the agreement. Cambodia, in contrast, has acted with full transparency, responsibility, and goodwill, withdrawing heavy and destructive weapons from its designated border sites under the observation of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT). Cambodia has set the moral and legal standard. Thailand must now match it.
Cambodia’s actions are guided by principles of peace, stability, and cooperation. The country has consistently demonstrated that it honors its commitments, keeps its promises, and acts in the interest of long-term regional security. Thailand’s unilateral suspension of the peace agreement threatens not only Cambodia but the credibility of ASEAN and the entire framework of regional diplomacy. It is a stark reminder that agreements are only meaningful if all parties respect them.
The international witnesses — the United States and Malaysia — must now step forward to ensure compliance. Their intervention is not optional; it is essential to safeguard the integrity of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration and to prevent escalation. Cambodia has done its part; it has led by example, showing courage, responsibility, and moral clarity. Thailand’s failure to act in good faith must not go unchecked.
Cambodia remains committed to peace, dialogue, and normalization along the border. But peace is a shared responsibility, and it cannot survive unilateral violations, double standards, or the rewriting of agreements. The world must see that Cambodia acts with integrity, while Thailand must be held accountable. The choice is clear: honor the agreement and preserve peace, or continue down the dangerous path of violation and instability. Cambodia stands firm, not just for itself, but for the stability and future of the region.
Roth Santepheap is a geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views expressed are his own.
-Khmer Times-
