The seed of a major Mekong crisis: China fuels a conflict between Thailand and Cambodia to undermine U.S. strategic goals

On May 28, 2025, a brief armed clash erupted between the border forces of Thailand and Cambodia, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier.

The clash occurred in the Emerald Triangle, a disputed area in the Mekong region located at the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Despite its “localized” nature, the incident led to significant tensions between the two nations: deployment of border troops, export restrictions, and threats of “war.”

On June 15, 2025, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a private phone conversation with Hun Sen (Cambodia’s de facto leader), agreeing on de-escalation.