Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

The recent Thai-Cambodian border clashes have severely impacted public support for the Thai government, spotlighting controversial links between Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. As tensions rise, the Pheu Thai Party faces a significant political challenge.

 

The conflict has resulted in tragic consequences: lives lost, homes destroyed, and public trust eroded. Hun Sen, known for his political savvy, has made moves that have significantly altered the regional landscape, causing concern for Thailand's foreign policy stance.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra finds herself at the centre of the storm. Her conversation with Hun Sen, leaked and widely circulated, is believed to have intensified the conflict. This connection with Hun Sen has drawn suspicion, with many questioning the relationship between the Shinawatra and Hun families. Despite Paetongtarn's insistence that her actions were in the national interest, the leaked exchange has fuelled public distrust.

 

Her crackdown on Cambodian-based call-centre scams, which targeted Thai citizens, may have angered Phnom Penh’s elite, intensifying frustrations more than any political blunder. Despite her defence, public sentiment remains critical. A recent NIDA Poll showed her popularity plummeting from 30.9% to 9.2% even before the deadly clashes.

 

The consequences extend beyond political realms, affecting Thai-Cambodian relations. The crisis highlights political fragility, impacting Thailand's foreign policy. Criticism of Foreign Minister Maris Sangiamphongsa’s handling of the situation has grown, questioning whether Thailand has been outmanoeuvred by Cambodia on the global stage.

 

Conversely, the Thai military has seen its standing rise. While the government struggles with declining legitimacy, the armed forces have gained public trust by defending national sovereignty, potentially securing them more resources for modernising military capabilities.

 

As the situation unfolds, the civilian government faces immense pressure to handle overlapping crises, including economic challenges, US trade pressures, inflation, and natural disasters, alongside the border conflict.

 

Political opponents accuse the government of mishandling diplomatic efforts, suggesting both the Thai and Cambodian political dynasties have contributed to the escalation. With elections on the horizon, Pheu Thai faces a daunting task to rebuild trust and navigate the political fallout.

 

The road to restoring relations and stabilising the political climate will require deft handling and transparent communication to regain public confidence and forge a path towards peace and cooperation in the region.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-07-29

 

 

Thailand should respect the border as it was since 1906 and the decision of the International Court of Justice but if you reject all things that are not in favor of you, and you just believe your own truth, problems will always be there

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

As tensions rise, the Pheu Thai Party faces a significant political challenge.

As it should be then.

14 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand should respect the border as it was since 1906 and the decision of the International Court of Justice but if you reject all things that are not in favor of you, and you just believe your own truth, problems will always be there

So, you are in force and knowledge on what is right and wrong regarding the border? Amazing! Apply to follow the next delegation or have you found a flat in Cambo yet?

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

So, you are in force and knowledge on what is right and wrong regarding the border? Amazing! Apply to follow the next delegation or have you found a flat in Cambo yet?

 

So you are saying that a ruling by the International Court of Justice should be ignored.

Just now, CallumWK said:

 

So you are saying that a ruling by the International Court of Justice should be ignored.

No, I am not! Why do you think that? It has been more rulings after that. Please tell me which one is right?

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

No, I am not! Why do you think that? It has been more rulings after that. Please tell me which one is right?

 

So the International Court of Justice flip flops in their rulings?

 

Can you show me evidence of that?

19 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand should respect the border as it was since 1906 and the decision of the International Court of Justice but if you reject all things that are not in favor of you, and you just believe your own truth, problems will always be there

 

Pretty common problem in Thai politics.

They often refuse to accept the result if is against their favor.

Same applied to their election here in earlier 2000s.

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand should respect the border as it was since 1906 and the decision of the International Court of Justice but if you reject all things that are not in favor of you, and you just believe your own truth, problems will always be there

Are you dumb? just because Thailand acknowledged the presence of France doesn't mean it accepted the maps drawn by the French. At the time, Thailand was too weak to strongly resist. Cambodia was a protectorate under colonial powers, so it's not surprising that Laos once claimed parts of northeastern Thailand by arguing the population was ethnically Lao, with French backing. Cambodia was no different

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

 

So the International Court of Justice flip flops in their rulings?

 

Can you show me evidence of that?

Google it

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

Google it

 

Translation, I was talking drivel

3 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Translation, I was talking drivel

Apparently, you don´t understand Google it. 

5 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Apparently, you don´t understand Google it. 

 

I didn't make any claims, you did, so it is on you to provide evidence.

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

 

So you are saying that a ruling by the International Court of Justice should be ignored.

 

Thailand has obeyed the rulings. Contrary to what many seem to think, the ICJ didn't rule on where the border is. The first ruling was that Preah Vihear is in Cambodian territory. The second ruling was that the temple and it's immediate surroundings, an area of about 0,35 square kilometers, belong to Cambodia.

Since then, Cambodia has made the claim that the area that belongs to them is in fact 4,5 square kilometers, which Thailand doesn't agree with. The court has made no ruling on that, and likely wont, because Thailand doesn't want or need to take the case back to the ICJ.

1 minute ago, Myran said:

 

Thailand has obeyed the rulings. Contrary to what many seem to think, the ICJ didn't rule on where the border is. The first ruling was that Preah Vihear is in Cambodian territory. The second ruling was that the temple and it's immediate surroundings, an area of about 0,35 square kilometers, belong to Cambodia.

Since then, Cambodia has made the claim that the area that belongs to them is in fact 4,5 square kilometers, which Thailand doesn't agree with. The court has made no ruling on that, and likely wont, because Thailand doesn't want or need to take the case back to the ICJ.

 

Thanks for the explanation, but that is not what the poster I was replying to insinuate.

 

He claimed there were more rulings, and that Thailand didn't adhere to it, while it is clear that Cambodia is the instigator.

49 minutes ago, Myran said:

 

Thailand has obeyed the rulings. Contrary to what many seem to think, the ICJ didn't rule on where the border is. The first ruling was that Preah Vihear is in Cambodian territory. The second ruling was that the temple and it's immediate surroundings, an area of about 0,35 square kilometers, belong to Cambodia.

Since then, Cambodia has made the claim that the area that belongs to them is in fact 4,5 square kilometers, which Thailand doesn't agree with. The court has made no ruling on that, and likely wont, because Thailand doesn't want or need to take the case back to the ICJ.

Thailand doesn't recognize the rulings of the INternational Court.....

1 hour ago, Jone500 said:

Are you dumb? just because Thailand acknowledged the presence of France doesn't mean it accepted the maps drawn by the French. At the time, Thailand was too weak to strongly resist. Cambodia was a protectorate under colonial powers, so it's not surprising that Laos once claimed parts of northeastern Thailand by arguing the population was ethnically Lao, with French backing. Cambodia was no different

Dumb?? You don't know the history of Thailand.. Several ages ago it was all Khmer land...

42 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand doesn't recognize the rulings of the INternational Court.....

Incorrect. They have recognized and obeyed the rulings, but said that they don't recognize the court's authority in the matter and therefore won't accept Cambodia's invitation to take the case back there for a third time.

38 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Dumb?? You don't know the history of Thailand.. Several ages ago it was all Khmer land...

Obviously, you're dumb. You're referring to the Khmer Empire, aren't you? That can't be used as an excuse at all given the context in which you're saying it. If that logic held, both Europe and Asia today would still be under the influence of the Roman Empire and the Mongol Empire. Live in the present world instead of being brainwashed. Focus on developing the people in your own country.

7 hours ago, Jone500 said:

Obviously, you're dumb. You're referring to the Khmer Empire, aren't you? That can't be used as an excuse at all given the context in which you're saying it. If that logic held, both Europe and Asia today would still be under the influence of the Roman Empire and the Mongol Empire. Live in the present world instead of being brainwashed. Focus on developing the people in your own country.

Happy to read that you are soo wise

11 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

I didn't make any claims, you did, so it is on you to provide evidence.

I did that by telling you to Google it. Not going to do the work for you. Your stance is that it´s up to me to provide something to you. Are you employing me? Let´s talk salaries.

 

Or, you can just walk on and put out an ad for another Benson.