In July 2025, a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into heavy fighting, which was followed by an initial ceasefire on July 28. The conflict stemmed from a long-running disagreement over land near ancient temples, particularly the Preah Vihear temple, with clashes spreading to multiple sites. Following this, a more comprehensive peace deal was signed on October 26, 2025, overseen by US President Donald Trump, with an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in effect as of that date.
Causes
of the 2025 conflict
Long-standing
dispute: The conflict is rooted in a decades-old border dispute,
particularly over territory surrounding ancient temples like Preah Vihear and
Ta Muen Thom.
Conflicting maps: A primary source of contention is the use of different maps to define the border; Cambodia bases its claim on a 1907 map from the French colonial era, while Thailand cites a map based on modern topography.
Escalation
and ceasefire
July
2025 clashes: Heavy fighting broke out on July 24, 2025, and spread to at
least 12 border sites, leaving dozens dead and displacing over 300,000 people.
Initial ceasefire: The fighting was halted by an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" declared on July 28, 2025, after talks in Kuala Lumpur mediated by Malaysia and encouraged by the United States and China.
The
peace agreement
October
2025 signing: On October 26, 2025, a new peace agreement was signed in
Malaysia, overseen by US President Donald Trump.
Ceasefire
implementation: The new agreement reinforced the initial ceasefire and
included provisions for coordinating humanitarian de-mining efforts in border
areas.
Captured soldiers: As part of the agreement, Thailand committed to releasing 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during the fighting.
In 2025, a long-simmering border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into armed clashes in July before an internationally brokered ceasefire was implemented. The conflict is rooted in differing interpretations of colonial-era treaties and competing claims over historical temple sites along their shared frontier.
Key
developments of the 2025 border crisis
Initial
skirmish (May 28): Tensions escalated following a deadly skirmish near the
ancient Preah Vihear temple, which left one Cambodian soldier dead. In
response, both countries imposed border and trade restrictions, with Cambodia
banning some Thai goods and Thailand closing border crossings.
Conflict flares (July 24–28): Heavy fighting broke out in late July, involving artillery and rocket exchanges, with Thailand also launching airstrikes. The clashes spread to multiple border locations and resulted in dozens of deaths and the displacement of over 300,000 civilians.
Political
fallout in Thailand (June–August): A leaked phone call in June between
then-Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate President
Hun Sen exposed internal political rifts and contributed to a Thai government
crisis. The military also used the situation to increase its authority over
border management.
International intervention (July): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations Security Council, and world powers like the United States and China intervened to de-escalate the conflict. US President Donald Trump played a notable role in pushing for a ceasefire.
Ceasefire and peace accord (July–October): A bilateral ceasefire was declared on July 28. In October, during an ASEAN summit, the two sides signed an enhanced ceasefire deal. However, this is seen by some analysts as a "pathway to peace" rather than a definitive resolution.
Underlying
issues and continued tensions
Despite
the peace deal, the border dispute's root causes remain unresolved, leaving the
situation fragile.
Unresolved
territorial claims: The 1962 and 2013 rulings by the International Court
of Justice (ICJ) awarded the Preah Vihear temple and its immediate surroundings
to Cambodia, but left the border demarcation in the broader area ambiguous.
Thailand rejects the ICJ's jurisdiction for resolving the rest of the border,
insisting on bilateral talks.
Disputes
over maritime territory: A separate but related dispute involves a
controversial 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU-44) concerning overlapping
maritime claims in the oil-rich Gulf of Thailand. Opponents in Thailand have
used the issue to stoke nationalist sentiment and pressure the government.
Nationalist
politics: Historical and cultural rivalries continue to be exploited by
politicians on both sides to serve domestic political agendas, further
hindering diplomatic progress.
Sovereignty versus cooperation: The diplomatic efforts following the July clashes involved trust-building measures and separating the border dispute from other cooperation issues, such as cracking down on cross-border scam centers.
Outlook
While a full-scale war is considered unlikely, the underlying political and historical issues mean that renewed clashes and diplomatic stalemates could persist. The durability of the October peace accord will depend on the commitment of both governments to depoliticize the border issue and prioritize stability.
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+border+dispute+between+thailand+and+cambodia+2025
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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