One Month Since the First Shots: Why Cambodia and Thailand Must Choose Peace
One Month Since the First Shots: Why Cambodia and Thailand Must Choose Peace
-Opinion-
On July 24, 2025, the first shots were fired along the Cambodia–Thailand border. For five days, from July 24 to 28, the world watched as armed clashes disrupted communities, endangered lives and reopened wounds that should have been healed long ago. These were not just random incidents; they were serious violations of trust and stability.
Recognising the danger of escalation, US President Donald Trump intervened and successfully brokered a ceasefire, which took effect at midnight on July 28. This was a decisive moment, a chance for both nations to step back from confrontation and prove that dialogue is stronger than gunfire. For Cambodia, it was an opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and restraint — principles we have upheld since that night.
Now, as August 24 marks the one-month anniversary of those clashes, the message must be clear: one month of tension is already too long, and every day of peace matters. Cambodia has done its part — welcoming international observers, engaging through the Regional Border Committee and reaffirming our commitment to resolving disputes through diplomacy.
We call on Thailand to do the same. The ceasefire was not symbolic; it was a solemn commitment, made in front of the region and the world, to silence weapons and focus on solutions. Any act that undermines it is a setback not just for our two nations, but for ASEAN’s credibility and regional stability.
Borders are not battlefields; they are lifelines of trade, culture and shared history. Cambodia believes that the path forward is clear: respect the ceasefire, expand communication, invite transparency and invest in cooperation. This is not weakness; it is the courage to choose peace.
The July 24 clashes must remain the last. The July 28 ceasefire must be honoured. The August 24 anniversary must be remembered not for violence, but as the moment both nations chose responsibility. Cambodia has chosen this path. We urge Thailand to walk it with us.
Roth Santepheap is a geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views and opinions expressed are his own.
– The Phnom Penh Post –
