Opinion: Cambodia Knows the Cost of War—But Will Not Bow to Thai Aggression

Opinion: Cambodia Knows the Cost of War—But Will Not Bow to Thai Aggression

Khmer Times | Cambodia is no stranger to war. Our people still carry the scars—physical and emotional—from decades of conflict, genocide, and foreign interference. We know too well the devastation that war brings: the crumbling of temples, the cries of children, the fields soaked with blood instead of harvest.

That is why, as a nation, Cambodia does not desire war with any neighbor—least of all Thailand, a fellow member of ASEAN. But peace cannot exist in a vacuum. It cannot be sustained through submission. When Thailand chose to unleash an armed assault on Cambodian soldiers and territory on July 24, 2025, it left us no choice but to defend ourselves.

We did not start this war. But we will not let our sovereignty be trampled under the boots of foreign aggression.

Let the record be clear: Cambodia’s response is one of self-defense, not provocation. Our armed forces acted with restraint and discipline in the face of repeated Thai military violations near the sacred temples of Ta Mone Thom and Ta Krabey—sites that lie within Cambodia’s internationally recognized borders. The Thai assault was unprovoked, unjustified, and illegal under international law.

In its official statement, the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia confirmed the following: “At 08:46 AM on July 24, 2025, the Royal Thai Armed Forces launched a full-scale assault on Cambodian troops stationed in the vicinity of the Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples inside Cambodian territory. The Cambodian armed forces exercised their legitimate right to self-defense under the United Nations Charter. The attack resulted in multiple casualties and destruction of civilian and religious infrastructure, including a pagoda and health center.”

The Ministry further declared: “The Kingdom of Cambodia will not tolerate violations of its sovereignty. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces are under firm instruction to defend the nation with determination, professionalism, and respect for international humanitarian law. However, the responsibility for escalation and consequences lies entirely with the Thai side.”

Thailand cries foul, but it is the aggressor. Its military actions violate the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the 1954 Hague Convention, particularly as their artillery shells struck not only soldiers but also civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage sites, including Preah Vihear—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To suggest that Cambodia, a small country still rebuilding from the ashes of its past, would choose to provoke war with a militarily superior neighbor is both illogical and insulting. We have neither the ambition nor the capacity to invade Thai territory. Our aim is singular: to defend what is ours.

Our priorities are peace, development, and prosperity. Cambodia under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has invested heavily in economic growth, poverty reduction, and attracting foreign investment. War jeopardizes all of that. We gain nothing from conflict—but we will not stand idle while Thai forces kill our soldiers, destroy our pagodas, and disrespect our sovereignty.

Cambodia is a small country with a big heart. We are not weak. Our patience should not be mistaken for cowardice, and our desire for peace must not be misinterpreted as permission to violate our territory.

To the international community: Cambodia calls not for vengeance, but for justice. We urge friends and partners to recognize who the true aggressor is. Cambodia’s actions are in accordance with the UN Charter’s inherent right to self-defense. We have acted proportionately, deliberately, and responsibly.

Cambodia does not want this war. But when war is forced upon us, we will fight—not to conquer, but to protect. We will resist—not to escalate, but to survive.

Thailand’s provocation is a test not only of Cambodian resolve, but of international principles.

Will the world allow larger nations to bully smaller ones with impunity? Or will it stand with those who fight only to defend their land, their people, and their right to exist in peace?

The world must not turn a blind eye. Cambodia will endure, as we always have—but we should not have to endure alone.

Roth Santepheap is a geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views expressed are his own.