UN Urged to Intervene as Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute Intensifies
BANTEAY MEANCHEY, Cambodia — Tensions flared anew along the Cambodia-Thailand border this week as Thai forces issued a final warning to evict hundreds of Cambodian villagers accused of encroaching on Thai territory.
Villagers dig in their heels as the threat of forced eviction by Thai forces looms in Prey Chan village, Banteay Meanchey province.
The looming crisis, centered in the villages of Chouk Chey and Prey Chan in Banteay Meanchey province, has triggered urgent calls from Phnom Penh for United Nations intervention, amid fears of violent confrontation and broader regional instability.
Unarmed Cambodian soldiers stand guard near a barbed-wire barricade installed by the Thai army in Chouk Chey village in Banteay Meanchey province.
Cambodian officials have strongly condemned Thailand’s ultimatum, which demands that villagers dismantle their homes or face “immediate arrests, prosecution, and deportation”. Thai authorities claim the settlements lie within their national boundary, while Cambodian residents insist the land belongs to their ancestors and accuse Bangkok of territorial aggression.
🇰🇭 A Village on the Brink
For weeks, villagers in the border communes of O’Beichoan and Preah Netr Preah have resisted Thai military pressure to vacate their homes. Tensions escalated last month when a clash left 30 Cambodians injured, including Buddhist monks and soldiers.
Now, Thai forces have declared intentions to enter the area to clear unexploded ordnance (UXO) — a move Phnom Penh sees as a strategic pretext for occupation.
“None of the villagers will comply,” a senior Cambodian official told local media, warning that the armed forces have been mobilized to defend national sovereignty.
UXO or Excuse?
Thailand’s First Army Area has formally requested cooperation from the Cambodian military to clear UXO in Nong Chan and Nong Ya Kaew, two Thai villages bordering the disputed Cambodian settlements.
However, Cambodian authorities argue the ordnance threat is exaggerated and accuse Thailand of using the operation as cover for a coordinated territorial push.
“The villages in question have been cleared of mines,” said the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Administration, asserting that any remaining UXO falls under Cambodian jurisdiction.
Prayers for Peace, Preparation for Conflict
In a symbolic gesture of resistance and remembrance, over 400 Cambodian monks gathered yesterday at Prey Chan Pagoda to pray for peace and honor fallen soldiers. The atmosphere in nearby communities remains tense as families brace for the possibility of armed clashes.
Local sources report a visible increase in Thai military activity near the border, including the deployment of heavy equipment and reinforcement of infantry units under the command of the Burapha Task Force.
Monks and villagers offer prayers to honour the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect Cambodia, at Prey Chan pagoda, in Prey Chan village, Banteay Meanchey province.
Diplomatic Deadlock
The recent standoff follows a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Koh Kong province on September 10, where both nations agreed to cooperate on border demarcation and UXO disposal. But the interpretation of the agreement appears to have diverged sharply since then.
In a strongly worded statement, Thailand’s First Army Area reaffirmed its commitment to “safeguarding Thai sovereignty”, warning of “decisive action” in areas where national borders are “encroached upon.”
“The First Army Area will act decisively where sovereignty is challenged, ensuring tactical success and civilian safety while preventing escalation,” the statement read.
Cambodia, in contrast, maintains that the disputed territory lies within its internationally recognized border and has reiterated its right to defend citizens residing there.
Cambodia Appeals to the UN
As diplomatic channels appear to falter, Phnom Penh is now appealing to the United Nations, urging the international community to intervene before the situation spirals into a broader conflict.
“We are facing escalating hostilities that could destabilize the region,” said a spokesperson for Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry. “We call on the UN and ASEAN to help mediate this crisis.”
Observers warn that the standoff could derail broader regional cooperation efforts and complicate existing tensions over border demarcation, which have historically flared between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.
A Flashpoint in Southeast Asia
Disputes along the Cambodia-Thailand border are not new. Historical claims, colonial-era maps, and shifting natural boundaries have long caused confusion and conflict. However, recent developments — particularly with military deployments and civilian displacement threats — mark one of the most serious escalations in years.
Analysts believe that unless swift diplomatic intervention occurs, the region could witness a repeat of previous border conflicts, such as the 2008–2011 standoff over Preah Vihear Temple, which resulted in casualties on both sides and temporary UNESCO intervention.
What Comes Next?
For now, villagers in Chouk Chey and Prey Chan remain in their homes, supported by local authorities and backed by Cambodian armed forces. But with Thailand’s military signaling readiness to advance, the situation remains dangerously unpredictable.
International organizations have so far remained silent, though regional diplomats are reportedly working behind the scenes to prevent open conflict.
Cambodian leaders continue to press for peace, but the message from villagers is clear: they will not leave without a fight.
