By Surya Narayan
Special Editorial | August 30, 2025
In Preah Vihear province, the calm of rural Cambodian life has been broken by a border conflict beyond the villagers’ control. Families who once cultivated rice, tended their homes, and lived in close-knit communities now find themselves scattered in temporary camps. Their new shelters of bamboo and plastic sheets stand in stark contrast to the houses and fields they were forced to leave behind. What was once a landscape filled with work, laughter, and tradition has turned into one of displacement and uncertainty, where survival has replaced stability.
This war was not started by Cambodia. Yet, it is Cambodia’s civilians who have paid the heaviest price. The images from Preah Vihear speak for themselves: rows of fragile tents, families huddled together for protection, children struggling to study without schools, and elders enduring hardship once again. These scenes underline the urgent human cost of a conflict that demands a peaceful resolution.
Cambodia’s Commitment to Peace
Since the end of decades of internal conflict, Cambodia has pursued peace, stability, and development as the foundations of national progress. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Cambodia has consistently expressed its commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and respect for sovereignty.
In the current border conflict, Cambodia has taken a responsible stance. It has not sought escalation but instead emphasized international law, regional cooperation, and diplomacy as the only viable paths forward. Cambodia’s voice in ASEAN and the United Nations reflects a consistent message: disputes must be resolved peacefully, with respect for territorial integrity and the dignity of affected populations.
This position not only reflects Cambodia’s national priorities but also its regional responsibilities. For Cambodia, peace is not a strategy, it is a principle.
The Reality in the Camps
The most visible human cost of the conflict lies in the refugee camps of Preah Vihear province. More than 10,000 Cambodian civilians have been displaced, the majority of them women and children. Families have built shelters from tarpaulins, bamboo, and recycled materials, forming rows of temporary villages in open fields and near water sources.
Daily life in these camps is marked by resilience but also by deep uncertainty. Mothers prepare food from whatever supplies are available, children sit in shaded corners without schools, and elders who once worked the land now wait for news of when they can return home. Community kitchens provide meals, but resources are stretched thin. Clean water and medical support are limited, raising the risk of disease.
Most importantly, the people in these camps do not want to remain there. They long to return to their homes, to their fields, to the lives they built. They are displaced not by choice but by circumstance, and their greatest hope is a return to peace that will allow them to live with dignity once again.
Cambodian Soldiers in Captivity
The conflict has also left a painful mark on Cambodia’s armed forces. Reports confirm that several Cambodian soldiers were captured by the Thai military, even after ceasefire arrangements were made. Their continued detention remains unresolved and has caused anguish among their families and communities.
This situation highlights the urgent need for adherence to international humanitarian law. Soldiers detained after a ceasefire should be released without delay. Their return would not only reunite families but also serve as a concrete step toward rebuilding confidence between the two sides. Cambodia has demonstrated restraint in its response, but peace requires fairness, and justice must be seen through the humane treatment and release of those held in captivity.
The Historical and Regional Context
The Cambodia Thailand relationship is one shaped by centuries of shared history, culture, and religion. Both nations are bound by deep ties, from the influence of Theravada Buddhism to the connections of trade and regional cooperation. Disputes over territory, including the areas around Preah Vihear, have arisen in the past, but these challenges need not define the future.
Both Cambodia and Thailand are members of ASEAN, an organization founded on the principles of cooperation, non-interference, and regional peace. The credibility of ASEAN rests on its ability to manage disputes between member states fairly and peacefully. The current situation offers ASEAN an opportunity to uphold its core values and reinforce its role as a platform for dialogue and reconciliation.
For Cambodia, the issue is not about hostility toward Thailand as a nation or its people. The Cambodian government has been careful not to inflame tensions or damage bilateral relations. Instead, Cambodia has consistently pointed to the need for solutions based on law, dialogue, and mutual respect.
What Is Necessary for Peace
For peace to take hold, several steps must be prioritized.
First, a genuine and sustained ceasefire must be upheld. Both sides must commit to avoiding military escalation, refraining from actions that risk further displacement or confrontation. Cambodia has already demonstrated this commitment, and it is essential that this mutual responsibility be maintained.
Second, dialogue must replace confrontation. Cambodia has long called for negotiations, whether through bilateral discussions, ASEAN mechanisms, or international legal frameworks. Only when both parties engage in open and respectful dialogue can lasting solutions be achieved.
Third, humanitarian issues must be addressed. The safe return of displaced Cambodian families to their villages should be treated as an immediate priority. Equally, the release of Cambodian soldiers held in captivity would not only fulfill international obligations but also build trust.
Fourth, the broader regional context must be recognized. The stability of Southeast Asia depends on the ability of its members to resolve disputes without resorting to prolonged conflict. Cambodia’s position is clear: peace is possible, but it requires fairness, law, and respect.
Cambodia’s Responsible Role
Despite being the victim of displacement and suffering, Cambodia has shown remarkable restraint. The Royal Government has avoided inflammatory statements and has instead underlined its willingness to cooperate in finding solutions. This reflects Cambodia’s experience as a nation that has endured war in the past and has invested heavily in rebuilding peace.
The Cambodian people have vivid memories of conflict from previous decades. It is precisely because of this history that the country places such value on peace today. The young generation, raised in a period of relative stability, deserves a future free from war. Cambodia’s leaders understand this responsibility and have aligned national policy accordingly.
By standing firm on principles of sovereignty, diplomacy, and international law, Cambodia continues to demonstrate itself as a responsible actor in the region.
Why the International Community Should Pay Attention
The suffering of Cambodian civilians must not remain an overlooked story. While Cambodia and Thailand share responsibility for maintaining peace, the international community has a role in recognizing the realities on the ground. Too often, the perspectives of smaller nations are overshadowed by larger powers or simplified in global narratives.
Cambodia’s voice deserves to be heard. The truth is that Cambodia did not provoke this conflict. Its civilians are enduring displacement, its soldiers remain in captivity, and its government has pursued peace with consistency and restraint.
For global institutions that claim to stand for peace, this situation is a test of credibility. Respecting Cambodia’s position, encouraging constructive dialogue, and recognizing the human cost of this conflict are essential steps for a just resolution.
Conclusion The Path Forward
The human cost of the Cambodia Thailand war is visible in every refugee camp in Preah Vihear province. It is written in the faces of children without classrooms, mothers cooking with limited supplies, elders longing for home, and soldiers still waiting to be reunited with their families.
Yet even in the face of suffering, Cambodia has not abandoned its principles. The Royal Government continues to pursue peace through dialogue, law, and cooperation. Cambodia stands ready to engage in negotiations, to uphold regional commitments, and to ensure the safe return of its people.
The path forward lies not in deepening divisions, but in restoring trust. Cambodia has made its position clear, it seeks peace, not conflict. It seeks cooperation with Thailand, not hostility. It seeks justice and security for its people, not victory through arms.
This is the message that must be heard. The human cost of this war is already too high. The opportunity for reconciliation must not be lost. Cambodia’s stance is firm and just, and with shared responsibility, peace between Cambodia and Thailand can once again be secured for the benefit of both nations and the stability of the region.
Also read, Cambodia and Thailand are at the Crossroads of Peace and Sovereignty
