About the Webinar

Tensions along the Thailand–Cambodia border are shaped by unresolved territorial sensitivities, notably around the contested sites of Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom. Earlier clashes between 2008 and 2011 saw ASEAN-led mediation and subsequent clarification by the International Court of Justice in 2013. Yet diplomatic efforts face significant challenges that hinder long-term solutions. The recent re-escalation since mid-2025 has been distinctive in its pace and scale, with incidents across multiple sections of the border, generating significant humanitarian and socio-economic consequences for the region.

Territorial disputes in Southeast Asia have rarely remain insulated from broader regional dynamics. While the core issues are bilateral and historically embedded, periods of escalation frequently correlate with domestic politics but impact further afield, where regional actors share responsibility for the management of disputes in the region. Recent events have unfolded in a more challenging geopolitical environment. Malaysia, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, has sought to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation between both member states and ensure ASEAN’s centrality. Both the United States and China have also each engaged diplomatically in ways reflecting their respective strategic interests and relationships, yet both Thailand and Cambodia have questioned the effectiveness of these efforts.

This webinar is thus convened to provide an informed, policy-relevant discussion of the evolving border situation and its impact on regional stability. By bringing together Thai, Cambodian, and broader regional perspectives, the session will offer a platform to reflect on contemporary developments and its interpretations; de-escalation and peace approaches; and the role of regional mechanisms and actors to support dialogue and stability. The webinar seeks to foster a structured exchange of perspectives toward confidence-building and longer-term risk mitigation, situated within a broader consideration of ASEAN’s norms and strategic considerations.