Politics Singapore Urges Peace in Thai-Cambodian Border Tensions

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

In a bid to calm rising tensions, Singapore has called upon Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue over an escalating border dispute. Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, emphasised this message during his recent visit to Phnom Penh, urging both nations to adhere to international law.

 

During the visit, Wong met with Cambodian leaders, including Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen. Hun Sen acknowledged the border tensions in talks with Wong, attributing the strain to an alleged incident on May 28, where a Thai soldier reportedly shot a Cambodian counterpart.

 

Following this, accusations have flown over unilateral border closures and increased hostilities, adding fuel to the fire.

 

Hun Sen expressed Cambodia's desire for a peaceful resolution while defending the nation's right to respond if provoked further.

 

Meanwhile, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore are members, holds a longstanding principle against meddling in internal affairs. Yet the rising tension has led member states like Malaysia to also step in diplomatically.

 

Earlier in the crisis, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reached out directly to Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, advocating for restraint and peaceful negotiation.

 

With voices from several ASEAN members reinforcing calls for calm, the focus remains on dialogue and adherence to international standards to resolve the matter peacefully.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-07-04

 

 

[Gottfrid]

Unfortunately he is talking to deaf ears. They are so corrupted and childish, so they will only listen to their own voices.

[hotchilli]

I'm waiting for Hun Sen to spill some beans on Thaksin

[Scouse123]

23 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I'm waiting for Hun Sen to spill some beans on Thaksin

 

I think he will walk back on that one.

 

[Srikcir]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra

Who now is the Minister of Culture. 

House waiting for the new PM.

[Purdey]

ASEAN has been so successful lobbying for internal peace in Myanmar, it's bound to work.

[FlorC]

They are not very photogenic , are they.

 

Did the Singaporians bring their cane ?

A good caning could stop the children from further fighting.