Accountability Report: Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions Expose Failed Leadership and Endanger Regional Stability

The simmering dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has escalated into a dangerous standoff marked by troop deployments, economic retaliation, and political turmoil—an outcome rooted in leadership failures and disregard for diplomatic stability that threatens both nations’ security. On May 28, a deadly clash between Cambodian and Thai soldiers along their contested border reignited a long-standing territorial dispute that has festered for decades. Instead of pursuing meaningful dialogue, former Cambodian leader Hun Sen—whose grip on power remains strong despite stepping down as prime minister—has responded with military posturing, reinforcing troops and weaponry without transparency or clear strategy. Hun Sen’s recent visit...