Thailand and Cambodia fight for the world’s ear over deadly border feud

Thailand and Cambodia are engaged in a dispute over their 817km border, marked by intermittent clashes between July and December of last year that resulted in 149 deaths and widespread displacement. Despite a ceasefire reached in late December, tensions remain high, with both countries accusing the other of aggression and violating the truce. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has raised concerns during a trip to Washington, while Thailand accuses Cambodia of spreading misinformation. The conflict, rooted in a colonial-era boundary, has halted billions of dollars in cross-border trade and significantly reduced remittances from Cambodian workers in Thailand. China is hosting trilateral talks to help monitor the ceasefire.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that Thai forces continue to occupy Cambodian territory following ceasefire agreements that ended deadly fighting in late 2025. Manet claimed Thai troops have encroached beyond even Thailand's own territorial claims, displacing approximately 80,000 people. These actions allegedly occurred after a protracted border conflict between the two countries. Manet urged Thailand to begin border demarcation through the Joint Boundary Commission. He made these remarks while traveling to Washington, D.C. for a meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.