Thai Election Unlikely to Resolve Cambodia Border Dispute, Analyst Says

PHNOM PENH, Feb 11, 2026 (KPT) – Thailand’s upcoming election is unlikely to settle its long-running border conflict with Cambodia, a leading analyst said Wednesday.

Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, argued the dispute is deeply entwined with Thailand’s internal political struggles and should not be seen as the sole driver of bilateral tensions.

“The border conflict is both a driver and a consequence of the internal struggle between different Thai political factions,” he wrote, urging Cambodia to adopt a multi-faceted strategy spanning diplomacy, economics, security and culture.

Chhang noted that some Thai narratives downplay the issue or blame Cambodia, citing incidents involving landmines and skirmishes.

He said Thai forces currently occupy 14 areas inside Cambodia, in violation of the spirit of the ceasefire agreement.

He added that while the election marks a milestone in Thailand’s domestic politics, it will not conclude the border dispute.

“Multigenerational, international disputes over borders and history are not resolved by a single event like an election or even a peace agreement,” he said.