The causes of the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. What you need to know
Clashes on the border between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated the conflict between the two countries. Even the diplomatic intervention of the United States did not help stop the confrontation — on December 15, the number of civilian casualties in Cambodia reached 12 people. What is the reason for the contradictions between the countries and why the conflict has resumed right now — in the Izvestia article.
Territorial disputes
• The reason for the conflict was the lack of clear borders between the countries and In 1898-1907, the delimitation of territories between Siam (now Thailand) and French Indochina was not carried out in full. The sites, whose territorial affiliation was not determined, after Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953, became the reason for territorial disputes with Thailand.
• The Preahvikhea temple complex has become a symbol of the territorial conflict. In 2008, Cambodia tried to register the temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but Thailand opposed it because the application also indicated the lands it owned around the temple. After the application was approved and Cambodia closed access to the temple, the conflict resumed, and Thailand rejected the participation of international organizations ASEAN and the United Nations in resolving regional disputes.
Preahvikhea is a temple complex built in the XI–XII centuries, during the "golden age" of the Khmer Empire, which occupied the territory of modern Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The temple was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, and later became a Buddhist temple. The temple is located on the border of Cambodia and Thailand and was awarded to Cambodia by the decision of the International Court of Justice in 1962.
• Another reason for the conflict was the village of Ban Nong Chan in Sakau province in Thailand on the border with Cambodia. During the Kampuchean-Vietnamese conflict in 1979, which led to the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge regime, Cambodian refugees were housed in this territory — their number reached about 13 thousand people. Some of them decided to stay in the country after the conflict. Cambodia later claimed the territory. On December 8, 2025, Thailand launched an operation to retake its sovereign territory and demanded the withdrawal of Cambodian citizens from it.
• The disputed territory is also the marine area around Koh Kood Island — previously, the countries discussed the possibility of joint exploration of oil and gas in this territory. Thailand opposed such cooperation, fearing that it could undermine national sovereignty and confirm Cambodian claims to disputed waters.
Accusations of fraud
• Countries accuse each other of aiding Internet scammers. In June 2025, Thailand announced Cambodia's connection to the spread of scams. Cambodia has denied any connection with the scam and claimed to be a victim of online crime by Thailand. In October, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the confiscation of $15 billion worth of digital assets, which were proceeds from fraudulent schemes related to the activities of the Cambodian Prince Group. The organization was accused of fraud involving the use of weapons and human trafficking. According to the US Department of Justice, hundreds of people were held in "telephone farms" throughout Cambodia, forcing them to participate in fraudulent activities.
• On December 3, assets worth more than $300 million were seized in Thailand and dozens of arrest warrants were issued for members of a criminal group linked to the Prince Group, which funneled income through the Cambodian BIC bank. It is assumed that the criminal proceeds of the group were used to acquire assets in Thailand.
Why has the conflict resumed
• On May 28, a shootout took place in the area of the Preahvikhea temple complex on the border of Cambodia and Thailand, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Despite the mutual accusations, the authorities of both countries announced the withdrawal of troops and their intention to resolve the issue diplomatically.
• The situation was aggravated by a political scandal when former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen leaked a recording of his conversation with then-Thai Prime Minister Phetkhongthan Chinnawat. She is the daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, with whom Hun Sen had a warm relationship — they even called each other brothers.
• On the recording, Phetkhongthan spoke negatively about one of the generals of the Thai army, which was poorly received in Thailand — the prime minister was accused of being more important to her than national interests and was removed from office on July 1, 2025. Hun Sen also stated that he has other compromising material against the Chinnawat family, which he can make public.
• Although the scandal has complicated the Chinnawats' relations with the military, Thailand's political elites have rallied in the face of an external enemy, and Cambodia has lost diplomatic channels to resolve conflicts with its neighbor. Anuthin Chanvirakun, a representative of the conservative Bhumchaithai Party, became the new Prime Minister of Thailand on September 6, 2025.
• In July, a conflict over anti-personnel mines planted in border areas led Thailand to recall its ambassador to Cambodia and expel a Cambodian diplomat, and armed clashes broke out on the border.
• On December 13, US President Donald Trump announced that he had mediated a truce between the two countries. But later, Thai Prime Minister Anuthin Chanvirakun said there would be no negotiations and the country would continue fighting on the border with Cambodia, despite threats from the United States to impose tariffs if a cease-fire was not reached.
• Disruption of diplomatic channels between countries is more likely to prolong the regional conflict. The situation may also be fueled by major foreign policy players: Cambodia is close to China, while Thailand had close ties with the United States.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
