Thailand Defence Minister Lt Gen Adul Boonthamcharoen statement on the possibility of a third round of fighting between Cambodia and Thailand rests on erroneous, if not intentionally misleading assumptions and interpreta tions of the conflict.
He asserts that the any future conflict will be large-scale in nature, when in fact, much of the conflict has been tactical or at the most operational- level aggressions that culminated in a posture where Thai military forces occupied Cambodian territory, in violation of international law and U.S./ASEAN-brokered ceasefire agreements. These multiple, limited engagements and occupations, which add up to a strategic level imposition and incursion on Cambodian territory, are not a small matter-they are the single most important factor that would incite a total war between Cambodia and Thailand. And Cambodia would be justified under international law to protect its citizens, sovereignty and territory, despite any arguments of the Thai government.
The Cambodian government is exercising extraordinary maturity in attempting to resolve the situation in a peaceful way. This circumstance, above all other factors mentioned by the general, is what is preventing a significant and dramatic escalation of the conflict at least from the Cambodian perspective.
YOUK CHHANG
Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia
April 7, 2026
