This escalation of a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has gained momentum and is becoming a serious threat, as at least 15 persons have been killed and more than 120,000 civilians have been displaced. The conflict has already extended to other regions as opposed to the initial conflict site, causing a significant crisis in Southeast Asia. Cambodia directly accused Thailand on Friday of giving up on a peace proposal by the Southeast Asia bloc (ASEAN), when it came to the security of member nations.
The Prime Minister Hun Manet clarified that Cambodia is seeking peace, yet according to him, it is Thailand that is the issue. He backed a ceasefire plan made by Anwar Ibrahim, the present ASEAN chair, who is also the Malaysian Prime Minister. But on the side of Thailand, it seems as though they accepted the plan, yet later on, it reversed itself and reneged on the deal, as stated by Manet.
Cambodia Supports ASEAN Ceasefire Proposal While Thailand Withdraws
When the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand reached the Cambodia-Thailand border, it became diplomatic when the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim requested both Cambodian and Thai leaders to have an immediate ceasefire over the region. Being the incumbent chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia has been attempting to play the role of a peacemaker between the two warring countries.
Hun Manet, the prime minister of Cambodia, was only too willing to air his support for the Malaysian-backed ceasefire proposal. According to him, in one post he posted on Facebook, Cambodia had then become ready to cease fighting and go into a harmonious peace path. He, however, put the heat squarely on Thailand, saying the issue of eliminating the conflict will entirely be determined by the will of Thailand to embrace the ceasefire offer.
International Pressure Grows as Conflict Spreads
The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has drawn furious international concerns, and the world leaders want both parties to cease fighting at once. Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, has called for the urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council by stating that the violence posed a “serious threat to peace in the region.”
The battle is not just restricted to the initial conflict zone of the old temple. The island nation found itself in archeological and sovereignty issues with the neighbours over a controversial 500-mile borderline that borders the Southeast Asia region. However, the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict is now extending to involve many places along the common border, and this makes it a very risky territory for both parties.
