When I first heard about the recent border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, it filled me with sadness and deep concern. It is clear that neither Cambodia nor Thailand is ready for full-blown war, but both sides are not backing down. Thailand’s technological superiority and Cambodia’s indomitable spirit are a fact.
The best-case scenario would be to solve the problem bilaterally. However, the situation has already spilled over as an international issue. In many ways, it appears as if the countries no longer trust each other as good neighbors should.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra were not just friends, they were historical allies who have been close enough to refer to each other as “eternal friends”. In 2006, during Thailand’s military coup, Hun Sen had boldly invited Thaksin to come to Cambodia and even hosted him at his official residence. Hun Sen referred to Thaksin as a “political victim” even though it risked political criticism. As many can recall from the famous leaked conversation, Thailand’s current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Thaksin’s daughter) refers to Hun Sen as “Uncle” suggesting that their relationships were familial, among friends and families.
Yet, today things have changed. It has led to a bloody border conflict. The high price of this violence has left thousands of people displaced in the border areas of both Thailand and Cambodia.
We do not even know how many lives have already been lost in this conflict. Shops and businesses have been closed. I cannot help but be heartbroken to learn that Kantharalak district, which is usually buzzing with a large population and density, has gone eerily quiet after days of heavy fighting drove most of the people to abandon their homes. I can only imagine that at this moment, people are still fleeing from this area, even as I write this article.
This is one of the reasons why I felt I had to write this post, that friendship, not about political dynasties but the friendship among the common people: street vendors, store owners, and farmers. I remember when I first started working in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I used to go back to Thailand on the weekends and took the bus from Battambang to Thailand. The official border crossing was Poipet, and Aranyaprathet, Thailand but it was more popularly known as the “Poipet casino bus” that left from Bangkok or Battambang to take people to the casinos located just at the other side of the border. If you have ever taken the bus, you will know the dry, arid-looking but fascinating countryside where nothing really grows on its surface.
When I first heard about this conflict, it was like all those memories coming back to me of hardworking Cambodians and Thais, of ordinary people who would not hesitate to share even the last bit of rice with a stranger if they can. I have always been moved by their generosity, their kindness, their honesty, integrity, and indomitable spirit. These are people who cannot survive a protracted conflict, as regional instability will ensue if things are not stopped immediately. This is why the role of China, who is the regional super power has to play a pivotal role in facilitating an immediate ceasefire and pushing the momentum for diplomatic dialogue. We can see both US and China involvement, as we should expect from these global superpowers. But this is where China has to step up and stop this from further escalation.
On a surface level assessment, it is easy to see that Thailand’s hand is better than Cambodia in terms of technological and economic resources. This is true, Cambodia is not at the same level as Thailand. But no one should ever underestimate the indomitable spirit of the Cambodian people. In the end, if this turns into full-fledged war, it will become uglier than any of us can imagine. This is why this conflict must stop, this conflict must be put to an end immediately. Ordinary people already have enough hardship in their life. Add displacement, hunger, and the loss of family members. This is far too great a burden to be added to their burden of everyday living. Ordinary people in the border areas of Thailand and Cambodia simply want peace. Peace to send their children to school. Peace to go to hospitals and clinics. Peace to work in their farmland just so they can earn a living.
Cambodia and Thailand share far more in common than we know. Both countries share a long history that has intertwined their culture and more importantly their religious ties through Buddhism. The history of Theravāda Buddhism in both countries can be traced all the way back more than 2,000 years ago. Both countries are majority Buddhists with over 90% of the population following Buddhism. This could be a beautiful starting point to rediscover peace and to stop the violence. As the Buddha once said: “Na hi verena verāni sammanti, āverāna ca sammanti esa dhammo sanantano.” “Hatred is never appeased by hatred in the world; it is appeased by non-hatred. This is an eternal law.” The Buddha himself had to march through a war zone in times when the Sakyas and Koliyas were on the brink of war over the waters of the Rohini River. As the two armies were mobilized and ready to clash, the Buddha had walked unarmed into the battlefield, and had simply asked the warring leaders:
“What is more precious, water or human life?” Both sides had answered, “Human life.”
The Buddha then reminded them “If life is priceless, why kill others for something less valuable?”
It is time for us to ask the same question today, to ask, to shout, to call and to demand that our leaders stop this conflict and enter into diplomatic discussions and dialogues.
Everyone has a role to play to put an end to this crisis between two good neighbors. Regional political support and faith-based initiatives can play a role to douse this fire. Let friendship be restored and prosper again once more, as these two great nations deserve.
Let us focus on the things that bind these countries together, and not on the things that set them apart. Let us talk, let us write, let us pray, and let us do something to stop this senseless bloodshed.
Authored by Buddika Harshadewa Amarathunga
“Thanks for reading. Let’s keep building the big house of peace — one small brick at a time.”
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