25/07/2025
It's strange that some people believe a smaller country with a weaker economy, smaller military, and lower population would intentionally start a war with a much stronger neighbor that possesses a far superior military force.
Let’s focus on the most recent incident that triggered this conflict.
Just one day before the fighting began, Thailand had already shown signs of military preparation. They launched a military strategy called “Chakrabongse Bhuvanarth,” a war plan that was previously used during the Thai Cambodian conflict in 2011. This raises a critical question: Why would Thailand activate a war strategy while Cambodia showed no signs of preparing for war?
On the morning of Thursday the 24th, the first exchange of gunfire between Thai and Cambodian soldiers occurred. But the events of the previous evening make it clear that this confrontation was part of Thailand’s plan.
On that same evening, Cambodia issued a warning to Thailand not to cross a critical red line, specifically not to close access to the sacred Ta Moan Thom Temple, which lies in a disputed area with no officially determined ownership. Despite this warning, Thai soldiers stationed at the temple acted according to their preannounced plan. They moved to close the border by using barbed wire to block the road leading to the temple from the Cambodian side.
This barbed wire blockade was the very action Cambodia had warned against. When Cambodian soldiers saw this, they approached to remove the barbed wire. In response, Thai soldiers first fired warning shots into the sky, then allegedly aimed directly at the Cambodian side.
All of this points to the fact that Thailand had already declared its intent through actions, military deployment, border closures, and strategic preparation a full day before the first shots were fired. This makes it clear that the escalation was not spontaneous but premeditated.
Furthermore, both countries should agree that attacks on civilians are unacceptable. On social media, we’ve seen posts about Thai civilians being killed or injured during the clashes. But it’s not only Thai civilians who are suffering. Cambodian civilians have also come under attack. Just yesterday evening, a bomb dropped into a Cambodian pagoda, resulting in the death of an elderly man and injuries to others.
By: BUNSRAUY