DC‑Cam Director Warns Thailand Faces Political Risks Over Border Withdrawal

PHNOM PENH, May 11, 2026 (KPT) — The director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) has warned that Thailand’s government could face political risks if it withdraws troops from disputed border areas, as tensions with Cambodia continue.

In comments released Sunday, Youk Chhang said the dispute could persist for years without stronger international diplomatic involvement.

He argued that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s administration had adopted a “military nationalistic approach” to secure political power, making any troop withdrawal vulnerable to criticism from Thai conservatives.

“A military withdrawal would be viewed as betraying or retreating from a position favourable to Thai nationalism,” Chhang said, adding that domestic political considerations could outweigh strategic value in maintaining forces along the frontier.

The historian cautioned that past conflicts showed how wars could emerge from relatively minor disputes, warning against underestimating the risks of escalation.

“History is not the study of stale, irrelevant, or unimportant facts,” he said. “Rather, it is the study of events, circumstances, structures and strategies that continue to shape our present.”

Chhang also noted that global attention remains focused on other conflicts, limiting diplomatic efforts to resolve the Cambodia‑Thailand dispute.

He said sustained international pressure — particularly from the United States — would be necessary to break the deadlock.

“Ultimately, this border occupation seems all but certain to continue until the international community directly intervenes,” he said. Without such involvement, he warned, the conflict could remain frozen for years or escalate further.

“I think this is a conflict that either results in a static border through 2029, or a significant escalation,” Chhang said. “I don’t see alternatives, though miracles can happen.”