The renewed outbreak of border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand since December 7 has once again drawn attention to one of Southeast Asia’s most enduring and sensitive territorial disputes. Firefights reported across several Thai border provinces, including Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani, signal a level of intensity that distinguishes the current confrontation from earlier flare-ups, including those seen in July. What makes the 2025 escalation particularly alarming is not only its frequency and scale, but also the broader regional risks it poses. At a time when Southeast Asia is deeply interconnected economically and institutionally, such armed confrontations between ASEAN member states represent a serious stress test for regional security.

The roots of the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute stretch back more than a century, intertwined with colonial-era maps, competing legal interpretations, and deeply embedded national sentiments. Disagreements over sovereignty around areas such as the Preah Vihear Temple have repeatedly ignited tensions, occasionally spilling into armed conflict. Yet the current escalation stands out for its duration and intensity, making it one of the most serious armed confrontations between ASEAN countries since the end of the Cold War. This reality underscores how unresolved historical issues, when combined with contemporary political and security pressures, can rapidly destabilize even regions long viewed as relatively peaceful.

The humanitarian and economic consequences of the fighting are already evident. Repeated exchanges of fire have led to civilian casualties, large-scale displacement, and damage to infrastructure along the border. Cross-border trade has been disrupted, affecting local economies that depend heavily on smooth movement of goods and people. Both Cambodia and Thailand rely significantly on tourism as a pillar of economic growth, and prolonged instability directly undermines livelihoods while exacerbating fiscal pressures. Beyond the immediate border areas, the conflict risks deepening historical grievances, making compromise more difficult and prolonging mistrust between the two........

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