A Chinese-made Type 59 tank on display in Rajasthan, India, in February 2023. Although Cambodia has bought dozens of the tanks from China, Thailand has not viewed them as a serious threat, given their age. (Shutterstock/meunierd)

Cambodia Is Buying Dozens of Chinese Tanks. Thailand Isn’t Too Worried.

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As China has upgraded its tank force, it has sold its old inventory to the developing world at bargain-basement prices—including several dozen to Cambodia.

Cambodia’s long-running territorial and cultural conflict with neighboring Thailand shows little sign of resolution in the near term. In addition to long-contested territorial claims and entrenched nationalist sentiments, the two countries continue to fight over overlapping maritime claims. 

Thailand and Cambodia fought a brief war in 2025, with minor changes in their disputed border region’s occupying forces but essentially no resolution to the crisis. The two countries have maintained a ceasefire since late December 2025, which successfully halted heavy fighting and troop movements.

The lingering mistrust could soon escalate, as Cambodia reportedly received its first batch of T-59D main battle tanks (MBTs) from China. Although the........

© The National Interest