TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -The prolonged clashes between Thailand and Cambodia could become the gateway for foreign powers to enter Southeast Asia.
Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations expert from Padjadjaran University and President University, warned that foreign intervention is imminent in the wake of ASEAN's sluggish response to the two neighbors' conflict.
"As we know, Thailand has a U.S. military base," he told Tempo on Friday, July 25. "This is our concern. When ASEAN is slow to act, foreign powers will come running."
Foreign involvement in the conflict, he said, can take various forms—from supplying arms and diplomatic backing to deploying troops.
The situation is further complicated by Cambodia's proximity to China, with much of its national development being "financed" by Beijing, said Teuku.
Indonesia Must Push for an Emergency Meeting
Facing the escalation, Teuku said Indonesia must take an active diplomatic role, initiating an emergency meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers with the bloc chair, Malaysia.
According to Teuku, the initiative is not limited to a ceasefire, but considers the temporary formation of a demilitarized zone in the border areas and the presence of peacekeeping forces as an option.
"If we can approach the UN, then they can adopt a decision to send UN forces to this region. For that, Indonesia should organize it at the ASEAN level. It's possible to do so," he said.
According to Teuku, Indonesia has a strategic enough position to avoid direct interests in the Thailand-Cambodia conflict. Additionally, he emphasized the need to involve France because the disputed border maps were created during the French colonial era.
It would also be worthwhile to consider inviting the European Union to the talks, in terms of "opening old archives," as Teuku suggested.
The Spillover Effect of Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict
Teuku believes the conflict could expand to other Indochinese countries such as Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. "The statements from the military leaders of these countries are very stern," said Teuku, adding that Myanmar could exploit this chaos to draw China's involvement into the region.
Indonesia must also be wary of the potential entry and surveillance of major powers in its waters and strategic straits. "We mustn't provoke them to escalate the level of conflict," he said.
The armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia since Thursday, July 24, 2025, have continued to claim lives. Al Jazeera reported that 32 have been killed in the crossfire from both sides as of Saturday. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense mentioned seven civilians and five of its soldiers were killed, including one victim who died after a Thai rocket hit the pagoda where he was hiding.
On the Thai side, 13 civilians and six soldiers were killed. Attacks from Cambodia injured at least 59 people, comprising 29 soldiers and 30 civilians.
Around 138,000 Thai residents have been evacuated from the border areas to more than 300 displacement centers. Meanwhile, over 20,000 Cambodian residents in the Preah Vihear Province have been forced to leave their homes. The Thai government has declared martial law in eight border districts since Friday.
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