The hills and temples that once stood as proud symbols of shared heritage along the Cambodia–Thailand border are now marked by unease and distrust. What should be places of reverence and connection have instead become flashpoints of fear, where villagers live in limbo and national attention is drained by a conflict that cries out for a peaceful solution.
Both countries now face a decisive crossroads. On July 28, U.S. President Donald Trump—working with Malaysia in its role as ASEAN Chair and with China’s active backing—helped secure a landmark ceasefire. This was more than a diplomatic pause; it was a signal to the world that peace and stability in this borderland are of international importance, with consequences that stretch far beyond the region itself.
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Citizens resisted and used sticks to drive away the Siamese soldiers who continued encroaching to seize Cambodian citizens’ land in Ou Bei Choan commune, Ou Chrov district. We appeal to the international community and the ASEAN Chair to help stop the Siamese soldiers in this case.
ពលរដ្ឋទប់លែង��ាប់ ប្រើដំបងដេញទាហានសៀម ដែលបន្តចូលមកឡោមព័ទ្ធយកដីពលរដ្ឋខ្មែរ នៅឃុំអូរបីជាន់ ស្រុកអូរជ្រៅ។ យើងសូមអំពាវនាវឲ្យអន្តរជាតិ និងប្រធានអាស៊ាន ជួយទប់ស្កាត់ ទាហានសៀមលើករណីនេះ។ #Cambodia #CambodiaNeedsPeace #AnwarIbrahim #Donald_Trump @DonaldTrump @anwaribrahim @ASEAN
The Ministry of National Defence of the Kingdom of Cambodia has facilitated the Interim Observer Team (IOT) comprising representatives from 5 countries, on Wednesday 20 August 2025, led by Colonel NAZLEE BIN ABDUL RAHIM, Malaysian Defence Attaché to #Cambodia, to visit the surrounding area around Preah Vihear Temple in order to Observe, Verify and Report on the update situation after the Ceasefire Agreement. #Thailand
In truth, I did not wish to speak about this issue. However, remaining silent may lead the Thai leadership to remain unaware, and the international community to misunderstand the situation. The Cambodia–Thailand border conflict has shifted from a war using weapons to one involving slingshots loaded with ball bearings and metal pellets.
At first glance, this may seem like a trivial or even humorous matter. But upon deeper examination, it is a serious issue.
If we do not intervene, it will escalate from slingshots to the use of all kinds of weapons, ultimately destroying the ceasefire agreement painstakingly reached by the Cambodian and Thai leaderships, with active mediation by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and participation from China and the United States.
As for Cambodia, if such actions are taking place, I urge the Royal Government to issue immediate orders to military forces to halt their use.
I also hope the Thai leadership will issue similar orders to their military to cease the use of weapons, as reflected in the attached images.