The long -standing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has once again gained momentum. On May 28, a soldier from Cambodia died in a firing in the disputed border area. This incident took the decades -old tension between the two countries to a new level. Cambodia then closed its border for Thailand and filed a petition in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The two countries have also banned many business imports, which is affecting local and international trade. The internal political crisis in Thailand has also deepened due to Thailand Prime Minister Tertongtarn Shinavatra’s conversation with former Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen. Due to this, Shinavatra was suspended. Thus, this dispute is not only a limited regional issue, but is also affecting the politics, economy and global diplomacy of both countries.
Cambodia’s compulsory military recruitment
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet has recently announced that the compulsory military recruitment of citizens in the country will start from the year 2026. This announcement comes at a time when the border dispute has taken a serious form. It is noteworthy that such a law was passed in Cambodia in the year 2006 itself, in which 18 months of military training was made compulsory for youths aged 18 to 30 years. However, it was not yet implemented.
Number of soldiers in Cambodia’s army
There are currently about 2 lakh soldiers in Cambodia’s army. This number is likely to increase further with this decision. The Prime Minister of Cambodia has insisted on creating an army that does not surrender and back from the target. He has also appealed to the countrymen to increase the military budget. This step is being seen not only from the security point of view, but also as the solidarity and strength of the nation.
Comparison of military power between Thailand and Cambodia
If we talk about military data, Thailand has about three and a half lakh active soldiers, while Cambodia has two lakhs. Apart from this, Thailand also has the cooperation of state -of -the -art technology and other countries including America. At the same time, Cambodia has established deep relations with China in recent years. China has also built a large naval base in Cambodia and is supplying weapons. This has made regional geopolitics more complicated. The role of both China and America in this case can be possible. Experts believe that if the tension increases further, it will also have an impact on Asean countries.
Global response and potential solution
The United Nations, ASEAN and other international institutions are keeping an eye on the ongoing dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. The petition in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is considered to be the first step towards a peaceful solution. However, no solution is visible at the moment. Specialists are suggesting that both countries need to find solutions through mutual interaction and mediation. It will also be important to reopen the border and restore business relationships.
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