Many people say that the Thailand-Cambodia conflict is a proxy war between China and the United States, but in fact, it really isn't. Thailand has joined the BRICS organization, and its economic and trade relations with China are very close, and it has been purchasing Western equipment for many years. Now Thailand is vigorously developing its navy and purchasing Chinese frigates, submarines, etc. China is Thailand's largest trading partner, and there are no territorial disputes with China, so it has absolutely no reason to be an enemy of China.
The territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has a long history, and it was also due to the arbitrary border lines drawn by the French colonists, which are the source of the two countries' conflicts, similar to the McMahon Line in the Sino-Indian border. Because of a line drawn by foreigners, small frictions between the two countries have continued. However, it has never happened before that the situation escalated to the point of open warfare. From the information currently available, this conflict is a military conflict initiated by the actual controllers of the two countries for their own interests.
The conflict can also be traced back to the development of the gambling industry by Prayut Chan-o-cha. The biggest victim of Thailand's development of the gambling industry is the Hun Sen family in Cambodia. The Hun Sen family has long been engaged in the gambling industry in Cambodia, and their casinos in the border areas have attracted many Thai and some Eastern country gamblers, from which they make billions of money every year. If Thailand develops its gambling industry, the Cambodian gambling industry will inevitably decline, which is also the direct cause of the phone scandal that Prayut Chan-o-cha encountered.
The other reason is that rare earths and other strategic minerals have been discovered in the disputed areas between Thailand and Cambodia, which is a big cake. The United Nations has clearly stated that the disputed area belongs to Cambodia, and Thailand is not satisfied and also wants to take a share. Hun Sen is shrewd and has provoked various incidents, which is mainly to internationalize the issue, and the main purpose is for the family's interest. Thailand also wants to stir up the situation, both sides have the motivation to fight, so they end up fighting. It is unlikely to have a large-scale war, but small conflicts are expected to continue for some time.
Escalation of Tensions Between Cambodia and Thailand
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838667938614284/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.