The ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have drawn the attention of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with the group's current chairman stepping in to mediate. Citing escalating rhetoric and armed clashes, the ASEAN chairman has formally requested Thailand's new Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, to prioritize diplomatic negotiations to resolve the dispute.
The intervention came after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen informed the ASEAN chairman and several world leaders about the Thai military's alleged preparations to use force to seize territory in Cambodia's Pursat and Koh Kong provinces.
A Call for Dialogue and Restraint
In a phone call with Prime Minister Anutin, Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim stressed the importance of maintaining peace and preventing any disagreements from creating "unnecessary tension." He explicitly called for all issues to be addressed through the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary and Demarcation Committee (JBC). Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that "the spirit of mutual understanding and discussion is the best way to ensure peace and stability in the region," with Malaysia acting as a mediator.
This diplomatic exchange followed a separate phone call between Anwar Ibrahim and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. That conversation focused on a violent crackdown by Thai forces on Cambodian monks and civilians in Prey Chan village, Banteay Meanchey province. The clash, which reportedly involved smoke bombs and rubber bullets, resulted in nearly 30 injuries and was described as the deadliest incident since the ceasefire.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet also posted on Facebook, describing the violence as a "worrying development" and urging the ASEAN chairman to intervene to prevent further incursions.
Thai Premier Stresses Sovereignty
Despite the ASEAN chairman's appeal, Thai newspaper Khaosod reported that Prime Minister Anutin acknowledged the phone call but underscored that "no one can interfere in the internal affairs of the Thai government."
Meanwhile, reports of continued tension persist on the ground. On September 19, Thai troops attempted to lay more barbed wire at the Boeung Trakuan border crossing but were reportedly forced to retreat by hundreds of citizens. These incidents coincide with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's claim to world leaders that the Thai army is preparing to invade 17 other Cambodian territories.
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