The long-standing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated, prompting international observation, legal considerations, and diplomatic engagements. Key issues revolve around alleged landmine deployment by Cambodian troops, the humanitarian impact on civilians, a dispute over land encroachment at Ban Nong Chan village, and the potential for legal action against Cambodian leadership for alleged war crimes.

In response to these heightened tensions and alleged ceasefire violations, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) is set to lead the ASEAN Interim Observation Team (IOT) on a visit to the Thai-Cambodian border from Monday to Wednesday. This mission aims to monitor alleged breaches of international law and ceasefire conditions by Cambodian forces. This follows earlier visits facilitated by the Thai government for international bodies.

One such visit involved ASEAN envoys and representatives from countries that ratified the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of landmines. These envoys traveled to Si Sa Ket province, where they were shown evidence of anti-personnel mines allegedly laid by Cambodian troops and had the opportunity to speak with affected local residents. The Thai government anticipates that these envoys will report their findings to their respective governments and raise the issue within the international community. Concurrently, the RTA, in collaboration with the Foreign and Interior Ministries, facilitated a visit by representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC assessed the humanitarian impact of cross-border attacks on civilians across Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, interviewing local residents in affected districts. The ICRC is compiling a confidential report based on their findings, which will be submitted directly to both Thailand and Cambodia, without public disclosure, demonstrating Thailand’s commitment to humanitarian protection mechanisms.

Beyond monitoring, the situation has led to calls for significant legal action. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed that academics might submit a proposal to the government to sue Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, Hun Sen, in the International Criminal Court (ICC) as war criminals. Furthermore, the National Security Council (NSC) has already resolved to initiate both criminal and civil lawsuits against Hun Manet and Hun Sen in Thai courts. These lawsuits would address the alleged deaths and injuries inflicted upon Thai citizens, as well as property damage, resulting from orders for Cambodian troops to fire at Thai civilians.

A significant point of contention centers on Ban Nong Chan village in Sa Kaeo province. Thai government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub stated that Cambodians had exploited Thai hospitality and humanitarian aid. Historically, Ban Nong Chan served as a temporary shelter for Cambodians fleeing civil war in 1977. However, Cambodia is accused of having taken advantage of this aid to encroach on Thai territory, with refugees allegedly refusing to return home and instead expanding their community on Thai soil. This claim was made in response to an American lobbyist’s allegations that Thai troops were blocking Cambodians from returning home with razor wire. Jirayu clarified that Thailand erected the razor wire to protect its territory from further encroachment and attacks by Cambodian troops, who have allegedly laid landmines. He insisted that the installation was entirely within Thai boundaries and adhered to the General Border Committee’s August 7 meeting resolution, which stipulated that neither side would construct structures outside their territories. Despite this, Cambodia continues to pressure Thailand to dismantle these fences, with descendants of the original refugees having built nearly 200 new homes and claiming the area as Cambodian sovereign land, while rejecting Thailand’s border demarcation claims. Thailand intends to send video and photo evidence of Cambodia laying landmines to Geneva to support its position.

Diplomatic efforts are also underway to de-escalate the conflict. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham met with four US lawmakers, two Republicans and two Democrats, to discuss regional developments, Thai-US relations, security, and economic cooperation. The US delegation is scheduled to visit the Thai-Cambodian border conflict zone in Ubon Ratchathani. Phumtham emphasized the necessity of using truth, rather than information warfare, to resolve the issue, noting appreciation for the US delegation's concern and acknowledging the involvement of President Donald Trump and other international observers. He confirmed informing the US delegation about Cambodia’s mine-laying activities, prioritizing this issue along with the dispute over barbed-wire fences. Despite a 13-point ceasefire agreement signed during the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Malaysia on August 7, provocations, fake news, and various forms of intimidation reportedly persist, highlighting the complex and ongoing nature of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.