Thailand and Cambodia ignored the deal brokered by Trump, and hostilities have resumed between the two countries. This time, it might be a matter of life or death; at least Thailand has no intention of mediating, showing a determination to see things through. So why is Thailand so angry? The essence of the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is a territorial sovereignty dispute, with the objective being the ownership of Preah Vihear Temple and surrounding areas. Each side has its own reasons, and this is also a legacy of the old colonial powers in the region, leading to continuous friction over the sovereignty of this area. Previously, the leaders of both countries were relatively restrained, and even minor skirmishes could quickly calm down. However, the previous Thai prime minister was betrayed by the Cambodian prime minister, who leaked private conversation recordings, leading to the downfall of Thailand's female president and even implicating the Thai royal family. It seems that Hun Sen likes to record and film private gatherings, and he has now released what are claimed to be indecent videos of Thailand's new prime minister. Such underhanded behavior only increases the other party's anger and does not resolve the issue of sovereignty.
Hun Sen's lack of personal integrity and public morality has led to the sudden breakdown of the previously amicable personal relationship between the two leaders. Both Thai political parties and the royal family have criticized Hun Sen. This is also a major reason for the resumption of hostilities shortly after the Thai king and prime minister jointly visited Beijing. Cambodia is also facing criticism from neighboring countries due to rampant transnational crimes. Thailand has also suffered from the fragmentation of the Cambodian regime and lax law enforcement. In terms of strength, Cambodia lacks the foundation to fully oppose Thailand, and Cambodia does not have the support or aid from other countries. As for the use of new equipment such as drones for sabotage, the Cambodian government does not have the capability, let alone the issue of air defense. If the Hun Sen regime is subjected to international legal prosecution, few would escape unscathed. While the United States is focused on taking over the Western Hemisphere, the crises in the Eastern Hemisphere must rely on local people. Essentially, the land dispute may involve some form of revenge or retaliation. The only local countries with significant influence on both sides, apart from Indonesia, are East Asia. The resolution of the conflict will depend on the outcome of the hot war between the two sides—either both sides are exhausted and evenly matched, or one side is extremely strong and dominates, at which point a peace agreement recognized by both sides may finally emerge.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851085886267460/
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