Cambodia doesn't want war, Cambodia want peace, but the truth must be told. As a journalist is based in Cambodia for nearly 10 years.

It started on the February 13th 2025 at Tamoin Temple, Thai troop blocked the Cambodian tours from singing their national song. To Cambodia, this was badly disrespectful. Thailand on the other hand, said it was the security reason. I was a small sign, but the sign of rising tension. Then coming to invasion on May 28th 2025, a Cambodia's solider was killed during the prefirefight at Preash Vihea, one life was lost in the Cambodia territory. It wasn't just tragic, it was the spark that cause tension between the two countries. Did Cambodian strike back? No. In early June, Cambodia reached deal, offering the peaceful negotiation, but the offer was met with refusal, hostility, and silence from the Thai's side. Instead of war, Cambodian tried law. On June 15th 2025, Cambodia formyl submitted a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking a peaceful, legal with an illusion to the border dispute. That's not what a country was preparing for war does, that's what a nation seeking for justice does. Then on June 19th, a phone call between the Thai prieminister and Cambodian's president of the senate, Hun Sen, got leaked and spark at rage, not just in Cambodia, but also inside of Thailand, causing in Chaos in Thai's politic. And just days later, Thai preiminister was suspended. The country was now facing internal political instability, visible for the world to see. From June 22nd to 31st, 2025, Thailand make treat in close border crossing without an agreement. Cambodia responded, stopping Thai import. That wasn't act of war. It was an act of sefing defense. On July 16 2025, a Thai's solider stepped on a land mine in a disputed area, Thai accuse Cambodia for planting a new one. But Cambodian clarified, these were war area land mine, leaving from the dark of past, Cambodian still suffer from these result. They didn't plant them, they was stilling healing from them. Then come another escalation, Thai expelled Cambodian's ambassadors, and recall their embassadors. Resulting from the escalation,​they politicized the moment, and board a close to the edge. On July 24th 2025, Thai's force blocked existed of Tamoin Thom temple and then open fire. No warning, just shot. This is how the current war began. Not by Cambodia's aggression, but with Thailand's bullets. Not by Cambodian's choice, but Thailand's decision. Cambodian doesn't want war, Cambodian want peace. But the truth must be told.

It began on February 13th, 2025, at Tamoin Temple. Thai troops blocked Cambodian tourists from singing their national anthem. To Cambodia, this was deeply disrespectful. Thailand, however, claimed it was for security reasons. It was a small act, but a clear sign of rising tension.

Then, on May 28th, 2025, things escalated. During a pre-firefight at Preah Vihear, a Cambodian soldier was killed — on Cambodian territory. It wasn't just tragic; it was the spark that ignited growing conflict between the two nations.

Did Cambodia retaliate? No.

In early June, Cambodia offered peaceful negotiations. But the offer was met with refusal, hostility, and silence from Thailand. Instead of war, Cambodia chose the law.

On June 15th, 2025, Cambodia formally submitted a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking a peaceful and legal resolution to the border dispute. That’s not the action of a country preparing for war — it’s the action of a nation seeking justice.

Then on June 19th, a leaked phone call between Thailand’s Prime Minister and Cambodia’s President of the Senate, Hun Sen, triggered outrage — not only in Cambodia, but also within Thailand itself. The result? Political chaos in Thailand. Just days later, the Thai Prime Minister was suspended. The country was now visibly unstable for the world to see.

Between June 22nd and 31st, Thailand threatened to close border crossings without an agreement. Cambodia responded by halting Thai imports. That wasn’t an act of war — it was self-defense.

Then on July 16th, a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine in a disputed area. Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new mines. But Cambodia clarified: these were remnants from past wars. Cambodia is still healing from that dark chapter — they didn’t plant new mines; they are still suffering from the old ones.

The next escalation followed: Thailand expelled Cambodian ambassadors and recalled their own. They politicized the moment, pushing both countries to the edge.

Then came July 24th, 2025 — Thai forces blocked access to Tamoin Thom Temple and opened fire. No warning. Just shots.

This is how the current war began.

Not by Cambodia’s aggression — but by Thailand’s bullets.

Not by Cambodia’s choice — but by Thailand’s decision.

Cambodia does not want war.

Cambodia wants peace.

But the truth must be told.