The ink is barely dry on the ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, and yet the situation on their contested frontier remains fraught with tension. Thailand — still shaken by rumors of a looming military coup — remains a key US ally. Cambodia, in turn, leans heavily on Beijing for military aid and strategic backing. This has turned what would otherwise be a localized border skirmish into a vivid microcosm of the Second Cold War, complete with proxy alignments, diplomatic maneuvering, and strategic signaling.

The July clashes, some of the fiercest in years, left dozens dead and displaced communities along the border. The territorial disputes — rooted, as they are, in old maps, colonial legacies, and contested temples — are nothing new. One may recall that in 2011, fighting around the Preah Vihear temple briefly brought the two nations to the brink of full-scale war. Yet what makes the present confrontation distinctive is not merely the geography of the dispute but the geopolitical arena in which it unfolds. Southeast Asia has become one of the most militarized regions of the Global South, and the Thai–Cambodian crisis fits neatly into this broader pattern.

Cambodia relies heavily on China. Beijing has poured billions into Cambodian infrastructure, while upgrading the strategically located Ream Naval Base and deepening military cooperation through exercises such as “Golden Dragon”. Thailand, on the other hand, remains tied to Washington. The US has long relied on Bangkok as a partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy, frequently hosting military exercises such as Cobra Gold, and remains committed to bolstering Thai defense........

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