The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, largely centered on the Preah Vihear Temple and maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand, stems from historical treaties and the opacity of colonial-era agreements.
The 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, situated in the Dangrek Mountains, was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962; however, disputes over adjacent land persist, fueled by nationalist sentiments in both countries.
Military clashes between the Southeast Asian neighbours erupted in 2008 and have led to several years of sporadic violence.
The most recent occurred last week, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a location known as the Emerald Triangle — a joint border area between Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos.
The day after, Cambodia’s foreign ministry sent a letter to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh demanding “an immediate and thorough investigation” into the “unprovoked attack”.
Describing the incident as “a violation of Cambodian sovereignty”, Phnom Penh said it remained committed to resolving the issue through “peaceful and diplomatic avenues”.
Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that even if the Thai side did not agree to bring the issue to the ICJ, Cambodia would still file the complaint.
He added that the border dispute was being “incited by small extremist groups in both countries”, which could lead to further clashes.
Tensions In Border Town
At the usually bustling border crossing of Poipet between Thailand and Cambodia, tuk-tuk driver San Noeun now has to work overnight to make ends meet.
Thailand has all but closed the land crossings in seven border provinces as a territorial dispute with Cambodia that erupted into deadly military clashes last month festers.
Cambodians living near the checkpoint in Poipet — the main land crossing between the two neighbours — say they are worried about the conflict escalating.
San Noeun, 64, said the dispute had badly impacted small businesses and people like himself who earn hand-to-mouth from daily commuters around the border.
“Since the border dispute, we cannot make much money,” he told AFP, adding he could previously make around $18 a day.
“It causes trouble to our livelihood.”
He wrung his hands in an appeal to both the Cambodian and Thai authorities to end the dispute and reopen the border.
“Please don’t use weapons. I don’t want to see a war anymore. I am so tired of it,” he said.
Quiet Casinos
Poipet — a busy casino city popular with Thai gamblers and known for underground cyberscam operations — is dotted with new construction projects.
But since the gates on the Cambodian and Thai sides were both locked, the border crossing has fallen unusually quiet.
Local residents told AFP there are fewer people around in the evenings, and those who do come are spending less.
San Noeun said he usually drives many foreign casino workers around, “but they don’t come out to hang around now”.
Chhan Siyoeung, 54, a shoe vendor with a store about a kilometre (0.6 miles) from the Thai border, also bemoaned a drop in sales due to fewer commuters.
“When there is a problem like this, people don’t want to spend money,” she said.
“I am so scared, but I cannot go anywhere else. If I stay here, I could make some money.”
She said military violence would see local Thais and Cambodians suffer the most, and urged authorities not to take up arms.
In the flimsy hut where he stays with his son, San Noeun is also afraid.
“I am a bit scared. We do not have a bunker.”
He had just returned with 200 baht ($6) after offering an overnight ride-hailing service.
“It is very hard now. We do not make enough money for day-to-day expenses,” he said, fretting over his $2,000 debt to a bank.
Despite the hardship, some told AFP that they were confident they could weather the difficulties of the border dispute.
“It is quiet, so it is a bit difficult to do business,” fruit vendor Pov Bal, 34, said. “But it should be okay.”
With Inputs from AFP
