The Role of ASEAN and the Great Powers in the Border Dispute between Thailand and Cambodia

Abstract

Although the roots of the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand regarding the territorial sovereignty over of the Preah Vihear temple and its surroundings date back to the early 20th century, the latest escalation of the conflict in 2025 nevertheless came as a significant surprise to the international community, and currently, there is no prospect for a long-term and satisfactory resolution in sight. The purpose of this article is to outline the roles of the major regional and global actors in regard to the management of the dispute between the two Southeast Asian countries, primarily through the analysis of statements and other relevant documents issued by the parties concerned. The article focuses mainly on the latest escalation of the conflict starting mid-2025 and also addresses the roles of China, the United States of America, the European Union, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which also plays a central role in the dispute resolution attempts.