The Thailand-Cambodia War and Its Resolution

The open conflict between Thailand and Cambodia that broke out on July 24, 2025, has once again shaken the foundations of stability in Southeast Asia. Until now, the region has often been perceived as relatively safe from major armed conflicts between countries. However, this precedent confirms that this stability is fragile. As Amitav Acharya (2001: 5) put it, Southeast Asia was once dubbed the “Balkan of the East”—a warning of the latent potential for conflict lurking beneath the region's peaceful surface.

This war is not an isolated incident. It is a continuation of long-standing tensions that have been simmering for years. Since early 2025, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have begun to rise again. In May 2025, the two countries were involved in an armed clash that killed one Cambodian military member. However, the latest conflict has escalated into something far more destructive and deadly.

Source: Reeuters

In the latest escalation, Thailand accused Cambodia of provocation in the border region. In response, Thailand deployed a number of F-16 fighter jets to carry out air strikes on Cambodian territory. Cambodia responded by launching rocket attacks on several strategic points in Thailand. This exchange of attacks has resulted in at least 33 deaths, including 8 civilians and 5 military personnel on the Cambodian side, as well as 14 civilians and 6 military members on the Thai side.

The death toll this time exceeds the number recorded in previous major conflicts between the two countries, namely in 2008 and 2011, which reached 28 people. In addition to the loss of life, the war has also caused widespread humanitarian impacts. According to a report by The Jakarta Post (July 27, 2025), over 138,000 people had to be evacuated from the Thai border area. Meanwhile, approximately 35,000 Cambodian residents were reported to have been forced to leave their homes to escape the fighting.

This conflict has reopened old wounds in relations between Thailand and Cambodia, which have often been marked by border disputes, particularly around the Preah Vihear Temple—a historic site that is both a symbol and a source of nationalist disputes in both countries. On the other hand, the absence of an effective regional conflict resolution mechanism under the ASEAN umbrella makes it difficult to contain such escalations of conflict, leading to casualties and tensions that are cause for concern.

Heating Geopolitics and ASEAN's Lack of Preparedness

This conflict shows that geopolitical rivalry and historical tensions are still the main fuel for conflict in Southeast Asia. Geographically, the strategic position of Thailand and Cambodia, which share a direct border, means that any territorial dispute can quickly escalate into a military crisis. Additionally, narrow nationalism and domestic political rhetoric are often exploited to strengthen the legitimacy of the ruling regime, especially when economic and social pressures are at their peak.

ASEAN, as a regional organization, has not shown decisiveness in addressing this conflict. The principles of non-intervention and consensus that characterize ASEAN have become obstacles when crises demand a quick response. To date, there has been no clear joint statement, let alone a concrete mediation initiative from the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.

The Role of Major Powers: Remain Silent or Take Sides?

Behind this conflict, the role of major powers is also worth noting. China, for example, has significant strategic interests in Cambodia, both in terms of economic investment and military support. Cambodia has long been known as a close ally of Beijing in the region. Meanwhile, Thailand has strong defense ties with the United States as a non-NATO partner. Tensions between these two countries could open the door for intervention or indirect support from these global powers.

If this conflict continues and draws in external forces, Southeast Asia will not only face a humanitarian crisis, but also the risk of becoming a proxy war that complicates the situation in the region. This will certainly pose a direct threat to long-term stability and the ideals of an integrated and peaceful ASEAN Community.

The Road to Peace: Diplomacy or Destruction

The 2025 Thailand-Cambodia conflict should be used as a momentum to strengthen the framework for regional diplomacy and security. ASEAN needs to move quickly to establish a more effective crisis management mechanism—not just as a discussion forum, but as an active actor for peace.

Concrete steps such as sending mediation teams, establishing temporary demilitarized zones, and involving neutral third parties such as Indonesia or Malaysia, which currently holds the ASEAN Chair in 2025, could be initial options. At the same time, the international community, such as the United Nations, is also encouraged to participate in promoting a ceasefire and facilitating peace negotiations.

Without immediate and concrete diplomatic measures, this conflict could spread further, involving regional and global powers, and threatening the future of Southeast Asian integration itself. Southeast Asia must not be complacent: history has shown that small wars can lead to great tragedies.