[Missionary News] Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict Groans Again… “We Will Build Barbed Wire” and War Discussion

Military tensions are rising again in the border region between Thailand and Cambodia, which are in a border conflict. In addition, the issue of past history surrounding UNESCO cultural heritage sites has been brought up, and the relationship between the two countries is heading towards a worsening trend.

According to the Bangkok Post and Khmer Times on the 16th (local time), the commander of the 2nd Army of the Thai Army said, “If the government orders it, we are ready to immediately build a barbed wire fence” around the Tameun Thom temple in Surin Province, an area in a territorial dispute with Cambodia.

The Thai regional commander’s remarks came right after a recent incident in which a Thai tourist assaulted a Cambodian soldier in the area. It is interpreted as an intention to clarify the border and prevent additional clashes amid the ongoing conflict over the border.

In response, Cambodia’s de facto leader, Senate Chairman Hun Sen, immediately warned, “If barbed wire fences are built around the temple, it will escalate the conflict.” Senate President Hun Sen warned that he was "not threatening war" but that he was "preparing for a possible war."

Thailand and Cambodia have been in conflict over border disputes since a small-scale gunfight between the two countries in Nam Yuan, Ubon Ratchathani Province, a border area in northeastern Thailand, in late May, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

Thai Prime Minister Phaethongtan Shinawatra, who spoke on the phone with Senate President Hun Sen to resolve the situation, was harshly criticized for his disparaging remarks and low-handedness toward the commander of his country's military during the call. Since then, Thai senators have filed a motion to suspend and dismiss Prime Minister Phaethongtan, and he is currently suspended from his duties as Prime Minister.

Relations between the two countries have reached their worst point, with large and small protests against each other taking place in both Thailand and Cambodia, and netizens from both countries engaging in a "keyboard war."

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Source: Asia Today

The believers were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they had everything in common. (Acts 4:32)

God, we hear that the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia is at its worst as military tensions rise due to a border dispute again and public protests against each other are taking place.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we oppose the spirits that cause hatred, strife, envy, and jealousy in Thailand and Cambodia due to their greed for land. Please wash away all hearts that hate and envy each other with the blood of Jesus Christ.

Please touch the hearts of the leaders and people of Thailand and Cambodia so that they stop claiming each other's land and humbly come before God, the owner of all lands, and repent and confess that everything belongs to God.

Please let the local churches in Thailand and Cambodia and the global church come forward and plant the gospel among the two peoples and proclaim the hope of the eternal kingdom of God. May the church first reconcile and forgive, spread the grace of Jesus Christ, and fulfill the mission of teaching and keeping all that Jesus commanded until the Lord comes again.

May Thailand and Cambodia become one in heart and mind in Christ and offer ASEAN and the nations to the Lord!