Can Asean mediate Thailand-Cambodia tensions? Growing violence tests peace mandate
Thailand and
Cambodia 's disputed border, questions are resurfacing over whether the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) can live up to its mandate to preserve peace among its members.
Analysts say the escalating violence is also exposing the bloc's limited tools for intervention. While some urge urgent mediation and a return to dialogue, others argue Asean has been sidelined from the outset – raising concerns that nationalist politics and diplomatic inertia could allow the conflict to spiral further.
At least 12 people have been killed in
recent fighting , with Thai and Cambodian troops exchanging gunfire, rocket fire and shelling across multiple points of the 820km frontier. Most of the casualties were civilians from Thailand's three border provinces, according to Bangkok's defence ministry.
The two countries traded blame for the attacks that erupted early on Thursday near the disputed Ta Moan Thom Temple, where troops exchanged gunfire, shelling and rocket fire, hours after Thailand accused Cambodia of leaving
landmines that injured Thai soldiers, which Phnom Penh denied.
04:06
Tensions along Thailand-Cambodia border boil over as soldiers open fire
Tensions along Thailand-Cambodia border boil over as soldiers open fire
Malaysian Prime Minister
Anwar Ibrahim , whose country currently chairs Asean, urged both sides to 'stand down' and resume talks, calling the situation 'concerning' given the historic ties and regional responsibilities of both nations.
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Can Asean mediate Thailand-Cambodia tensions? Growing violence tests peace mandate
As deadly clashes erupt along Thailand and Cambodia 's disputed border, questions are resurfacing over whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) can live up to its mandate to preserve peace among its members. Analysts say the escalating violence is also exposing the bloc's limited tools for intervention. While some urge urgent mediation and a return to dialogue, others argue Asean has been sidelined from the outset – raising concerns that nationalist politics and diplomatic inertia could allow the conflict to spiral further. At least 12 people have been killed in recent fighting , with Thai and Cambodian troops exchanging gunfire, rocket fire and shelling across multiple points of the 820km frontier. Most of the casualties were civilians from Thailand's three border provinces, according to Bangkok's defence ministry. The two countries traded blame for the attacks that erupted early on Thursday near the disputed Ta Moan Thom Temple, where troops exchanged gunfire, shelling and rocket fire, hours after Thailand accused Cambodia of leaving landmines that injured Thai soldiers, which Phnom Penh denied. 04:06 Tensions along Thailand-Cambodia border boil over as soldiers open fire Tensions along Thailand-Cambodia border boil over as soldiers open fire Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim , whose country currently chairs Asean, urged both sides to 'stand down' and resume talks, calling the situation 'concerning' given the historic ties and regional responsibilities of both nations.
