Cambodia’s Courageous Civilians and the Government’s Path of Peace
Cambodia’s Courageous Civilians and the Government’s Path of Peace
-Opinion-
On September 21, 2025, unarmed Cambodian civilians and forces stood shoulder to shoulder in Chouk Chey Village, Banteay Meanchey Province, to defend their homeland against Thai encroachment in the sugarcane plantation area. Their bravery was quiet but profound—ordinary people, without weapons in hand, facing military provocation with nothing but determination and patriotism. It was a powerful reminder that Cambodia’s sovereignty lives in the hearts of its people.
This was not the first test. Earlier this month, on September 4, Thai forces attempted to intrude further into Cambodian territory, pushing toward the asphalt road several hundred meters inside our land. They were stopped—not by aggression, but by the unwavering stand of Cambodian villagers who refused to let a single step be taken. Their courage is not only a defense of soil and borderlines, but of dignity, history, and the principle that no foreign power has the right to redraw Cambodia’s map by force.
But while civilians embody this spirit of resistance, the Royal Government of Cambodia carries the equally vital responsibility of ensuring that the defense of sovereignty does not spiral into endless conflict. Cambodia has remained steadfast in honoring the ceasefire agreement of July 28, 2025, and the understandings reached at the General Border Committee meetings of August 7 and September 10. These commitments reflect Cambodia’s principled stance: disputes must be resolved peacefully, borders cannot be altered by force, and international law must prevail over unilateral aggression.
hailand’s repeated intrusions and disinformation campaigns may seek to provoke instability, but Cambodia has chosen the higher ground. By respecting the Memorandum of Understanding of 2000 and the mandate of the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Boundary Commission, Cambodia demonstrates responsibility, maturity, and respect for the rule-based international order.
The courage of Cambodian civilians and the restraint of the Cambodian state are not contradictions—they are two sides of the same coin. The people remind us that sovereignty is sacred and worth defending at all costs. The government ensures that such defense is anchored in peace, legality, and diplomacy, preventing provocations from escalating into wider conflict. Together, they represent a nation that is strong not because it seeks confrontation, but because it refuses to surrender its rights while upholding peace.
The international community must recognize this balance. Cambodia’s people are resolute, and its government is responsible. Sovereignty and peace walk hand in hand, and Cambodia today stands as proof that a nation can defend both with courage and principle.
Roth Santepheap is geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views expressed are his own.
-Khmer Times-
