Thailand Chooses War Over Peace: A Threat to Regional Stability
Thailand is once again preparing to relaunch military aggression against Cambodia’s territorial sovereignty after 5 days of ceasefire implementation. According to credible reports, the Thai military, in coordination with local authorities, has ordered the evacuation of its remaining civilians from the border areas of Surin Province, signaling an imminent offensive. The planned attacks are set to stretch from Ta Moan Thom Temple and Ta Krabey Temple to the Preah Vihear Temple area and onward to An Ses—an operation that blatantly defies the ceasefire agreement signed just days ago.
This planned offensive is not only a direct violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty but also a serious breach of the 28 July 2025 ceasefire agreement, witnessed by Malaysia, the United States, and China. That Thailand would prepare such an assault just days before the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Kuala Lumpur reveals the mindset of a nation that prefers the language of war to the path of diplomacy.
Thailand’s behavior exposes it as a nation addicted to confrontation and territorial ambition. In an era where dialogue and cooperation are the hallmarks of responsible states, Thailand’s militarism stands as a dangerous relic of the past. By preparing for war while the world calls for peace, Thailand is disregarding not only Cambodia’s sovereignty but also the will of the international community.
The consequences of this reckless aggression will fall hardest on innocent people. Artillery fire and renewed fighting will put the lives of border villagers at risk, destroy homes and livelihoods, and leave behind the deadly legacy of unexploded ordnance for future generations. No nation benefits from this violence. It is a tragedy for both sides and a threat to the stability of the entire region.
Equally alarming is Thailand’s rejection of global expectations. The international community, ASEAN principles, and the UN Charter all demand that border disputes be resolved peacefully. Cambodia has demonstrated restraint and a consistent commitment to international law. Thailand, by contrast, has chosen to defy the rules-based order and the hopes of its own citizens, who desire stability, trade, and economic growth—not endless clashes that bring fear and destruction.
By dragging the region toward renewed conflict, Thai leaders are revealing themselves as war-lovers who ignore the suffering of their own people. Each act of aggression isolates Thailand further from its neighbors and diminishes its standing on the global stage.
Cambodia, on the other hand, continues to pursue peace. We have called for military readjustments, strict adherence to the ceasefire, and joint efforts to remove the remnants of war. Our nation seeks not only to protect its sovereignty but also to transform the border into a bridge of cooperation rather than a line of conflict.
The international community must act decisively. Strong diplomatic pressure, coordinated monitoring, and clear accountability are urgently needed to stop Thailand’s reckless militarism. Peace will not survive if the world remains silent while one nation repeatedly tramples on agreements and destabilizes the region.
War is the choice of those who crave power at any cost. Peace is the choice of nations that honor their people and respect their neighbors. Today, Thailand has shown that it prefers war. The question now is whether the world will allow it to proceed.
Roth Santepheap is a geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views expressed are his own.
Post a Comment