A Reflection on the Border Conflict: The Exploitation of Nationalist Sentiment to Mask Domestic Failures
Introduction: As a Cambodian elder, I have witnessed decades of history, yet what I see today is a profound disconnect between the halls of power and the reality of the ground. The official narrative speaks of "peace" and "national reconciliation," but the people experience corruption, oppression, land grabbing, and social injustice. Today, this gap is being filled by a dangerous manufactured re-ignition of the border conflict with Thailand.
War as a Political Theater: The recent military escalation—Cambodian rockets against Thai F-16s—is not merely about territorial integrity; it is about political survival. Leaders like Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul are maneuvering behind a veil of ultra-nationalism using war of words, suspicion, and distrust. We must ask the hard questions: Why choose a war of words and blame game over the safety of vulnerable border communities? Is this "defense of sovereignty" actually a shield to deflect scrutiny from economic failures and governance woes at home? Both sides use the border as a political theater. They fire rhetoric to rally the public, while the people living in the crossfire—those who simply desire stability—pay the ultimate price. Over 500,000 people have been displaced this week alone, with families sheltering in schools and pagodas on both sides of the border. At least 20 people have been killed and almost 200 injured in clashes that began on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Neither side can be trusted to act impartially in pursuit of domestic power.
The Harsh Geopolitical Reality: History teaches us a brutal lesson. In the past, Thailand gained an advantage by prioritizing its own interests during the Khmer Rouge era. Today, Cambodia remains caught between "big dogs" and distant masters. We cannot look to China or the United States for salvation; they will always prioritize their interests over ours. The bottom line is simple: When a nation is weak and poor, it is treated as expendable. Sovereignty is only as strong as your leverage. Until we build real internal strength and deterrence, Cambodia will continue to be a pawn in the games of others.
Conclusion: A Call for Accountability: This crisis started at the top, and it must be resolved at the top. The June 2025 leaked call between Hun Sen and then-PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra (where she referred to him as "uncle") was a catalyst and directly led to her removal by the Thai Constitutional Court. True leadership is not running away from a problem with propaganda, but running toward a solution with courage and strong political will. I call on the leaders of both nations: Stop the war of words. Stop the political maneuvering. Stop focusing on who is wrong. Prioritize the lives and safety of your people above your own egos and domestic agendas. Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice for the vulnerable.
Current Status: At this writing, both leaders, Prime Minister Hun Manet and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, reportedly agreed to a new ceasefire following calls from President Donald Trump. Will this ceasefire last?
Acknowledgement: This reflection has been refined with the help of AI to enhance content flow and readability. The insights and perspectives expressed, however, are entirely my own.
Sources:
Thai and Cambodian leaders renew a ceasefire after deadly clashes, Trump sayshttps://www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/news/2025-12-12/thai-and-cambodian-leaders-renew-a-ceasefire-after-deadly-clashes-trump-says
Cambodia Denies Rocket System Aimed at Thailand https://cambodianess.com/article/cambodia-denies-rocket-system-aimed-at-thailand#:~:text=Cambodia%20has%20no%20long%2Drange,news%20about%20PHL%2D03%20deployment.
Thai F-16s Bomb Targets Along Disputed Cambodian Border
Half a million flee as deadly Cambodia-Thailand border clashes escalate
