Recently, AmCham Cambodia president Casey Barnett warned about Cambodia–Thailand tensions. He said Thailand’s recent allegation that Cambodian soldiers had crossed the border and opened fire closely resembled the justifications Thailand had used historically for external military action and deserved close international scrutiny.
Barnett said Thailand had used similar pretexts in 1941 to take military action against Cambodia and Laos and occupy areas for a period. He said the territories were eventually returned after World War II, but those historical events had a profound effect on the region.
He stressed that current narratives and patterns of behaviour resembled the past. He urged the international community to follow developments closely and use diplomacy and dialogue to prevent escalation and avoid a repetition of historical tragedy.
Compiled report by this outlet
