Cambodian experts accuse Thailand of territorial ambitions ​

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov.12, 2025) — Cambodian political and geopolitical experts have accused Thailand of pursuing a long-standing ambition to encroach on Cambodian territory, warning that Bangkok’s recent actions are aimed at undermining international legal mechanisms and forcing Cambodia to accept a unilateral border map.

The criticism follows Thailand’s Nov. 11 announcement to terminate the Malaysia Peace Deal, which had been signed during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and witnessed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Within hours of the announcement, Thai armed forces reportedly mobilized troops, long-range artillery and tanks toward the Cambodian border, according to The Telegraph.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was quoted by local media as saying, “Peace is over with Cambodia,” and confirmed that the military had been authorized to “protect Thailand’s sovereignty.”

Geopolitical analyst Yang Peou said Thailand’s actions reflect a calculated strategy to force Cambodia into bilateral negotiations based on a map not recognized by international law.

“Thailand wants to turn its own map into reality on the ground,” Peou said. “That’s why it continues its acts of aggression.”

Peou emphasized that the French–Siam Treaty remains the only legitimate historical and legal basis for resolving border disputes. “If Thailand uses the French–Siam Treaty, its ambition to invade Cambodia completely fails,” he added.

He warned that Thailand’s broader strategy is to block Cambodia from bringing the dispute before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and to isolate it diplomatically. “Thailand wants to prevent international arbitration and force Cambodia to negotiate on its terms,” Peou said.

Political geography expert Kin Phea echoed those concerns, stating that Thai Prime Minister Anutin is merely following the military’s agenda.

“The Thai army often acts independently of the civilian government,” he said. “Thailand is using a strategy of buying time—aligning with China for now, while waiting for a shift in U.S. policy after the Trump administration.”

Phea noted that recent landmine incidents and inflammatory statements from Thailand’s Ministry of Defense appear designed to provoke Cambodia and gain domestic political advantage ahead of Thai elections.

He warned that the Thai military may act unilaterally to occupy disputed areas, particularly the Ta Krabey and Ta Moan temples, to project nationalist pride and military strength.

As of Nov. 12, Thailand had not released Cambodian soldiers as promised under the peace agreement. Cambodian analysts said this failure constitutes a breach of trust and a betrayal of assurances made to President Trump, who had declared that Thailand would release the detainees following the deal’s adoption.

Experts urged the Cambodian government to remain vigilant and continue seeking international support to uphold its territorial integrity and prevent further escalation.